AI Damage2021 Tesla Model X: common problems
The maker issued 87 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 87
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- electric
- automatic, 1-speed
Drive: AWD
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 19 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Air bags | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Electronic stability control | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Parking brake | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 41 |
Comparison
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- On some Model S and Model X vehicles, the compression gap of the HVAC drain funnel seal is wider than…
On some Model S and Model X vehicles, the compression gap of the HVAC drain funnel seal is wider than intended, which may cause water ingress. Inspect the sponge area of the HVAC drain funnel for water ingress. If…
- On certain Model S and Model X vehicles, the HV battery umbrella valves, over time, may become damaged due…
On certain Model S and Model X vehicles, the HV battery umbrella valves, over time, may become damaged due to road debris. Replace all 5 umbrella valves with updated parts. This new revision, R1, updates the affected…
- On certain Model S and Model X vehicles built between approximately January 2021 and September 22, 2022,…
On certain Model S and Model X vehicles built between approximately January 2021 and September 22, 2022, the High Voltage (HV) battery ports’ plungers intended for internal water leak egress (also known as flood ports)…
- Messaging sent directly to customers who have queued with Tesla Service to perform Service Bulletin…
Messaging sent directly to customers who have queued with Tesla Service to perform Service Bulletin SB-25-16-002 "Replace Flood Port Plungers". The customer is informed that their vehicle is in queue to receive parts…
- Proactive messaging sent directly to customers affected by Service Bulletin SB-25-16-002 "Replace Flood…
Proactive messaging sent directly to customers affected by Service Bulletin SB-25-16-002 "Replace Flood Port Plungers". The customer is informed that their vehicle is impacted by Service Bulletin SB-25-16-002, the…
- On certain Model S and Model X vehicles, the HV battery umbrella valves, over time, may become damaged due…
- Certain Model S and Model X vehicles were equipped with driver airbags that do not meet internal quality…
- On certain Model S, Model X and Model Y vehicles, the interior camera requires replacement to mitigate…
On certain Model S, Model X and Model Y vehicles, the interior camera requires replacement to mitigate reduced driver attentiveness detection performance in low-light conditions.
- Some Model S and Model X vehicles with 1st Generation Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) antennas…
Some Model S and Model X vehicles with 1st Generation Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) antennas might suffer from lower-than-expected navigation signal strength under certain circumstances.
- Some Model S and Model X vehicles with revision D interior cameras might suffer from lower-than-expected…
Some Model S and Model X vehicles with revision D interior cameras might suffer from lower-than-expected navigation signal strength under certain circumstances.
- On certain Model S and Model X vehicles built before November 1, 2021, the vehicle may lack Bluetooth…
On certain Model S and Model X vehicles built before November 1, 2021, the vehicle may lack Bluetooth headphone hardware support for the rear touchscreen audio.
- Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies
Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a given vehicle, based on vehicle configuration and software version installed, is displayed on…
NHTSA lists 87 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Tesla Model X?
There are no owner complaints in the NHTSA data for this year; the data comes from 87 manufacturer service bulletins.
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Tesla Model X?
NHTSA lists 87 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2021 Tesla Model X from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2021 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.