Tesla Model X body and structure problems, 2016–2026
121 of the 1,546 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Tesla Model X 2016–2026 name the body and structure (NHTSA’s “Structure” heading — body panels, frame, roof rails, trim and glass as fitted). The loudest years: 2016 (57), 2018 (23), 2019 (14). Filed under the same heading across these years: 2 manufacturer bulletins, 3 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Tesla Model X body and structure problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the body and structure | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 3 | 12% | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 13 | 7% | — | 2 TSBs | the year → |
| 2022 | 0 | — | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2021 | 0 | — | — | 2 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 | 11 | 9% | — | — | the year → |
| 2019 | 14 | 14% | — | 5 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 | 23 | 12% | — | 13 TSBs | the year → |
| 2017 | 0 | — | — | 16 TSBs | the year → |
| 2016 in depth | 57 | 13% | 6k | 29 TSBs · 2 recalls | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the body and structure. Nothing here is a rate.
When the body and structure complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 9 · 2017: 10 · 2018: 3 · 2019: 9 · 2020: 17 · 2021: 9 · 2022: 13 · 2023: 13 · 2024: 14 · 2025: 10 · 2026: 14
Across the model years, half of the 53 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the body and structure problem between 2,000 and 30,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the body and structure, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Here is a report of a Tesla Model X crash in china. Weixin. Qq. Com/s/1din0uyenlrl8bo9gykpcg (google will translate) the owner reports that the car suddenly slammed into the concrete centre divider, spun 180 degrees and collided with another car. The drivers airbag failed to deploy resulting in very serious injuries.
Takata recall I drove my Tesla Model X 2016 today to work and when I was about to park the car in the parking lot (around 6 miles per hour may be) it suddenly accelerated and hit the concrete wall and bounced back around 8 feet. Since it was for parking I can surely say that I did not accelerate the car.
Dealing with 2 major safety issues and innumerable minor issues with our Model X. The first major safety issue involves our right falcon wing door. It will not properly open because it is sensing an obstruction that’s not there.
The fender garnish on both the driver and passenger side of the car is falling apart. The adhesive on the fender garnish fell apart and was hanging off the side near the wheels. It was replaced by Tesla on 8/2/21(driver side) and 9/11/21(passenger side), and now on 10/4/21 both fender garnishes are falling apart yet again!
My rear passenger doors were unable to open. The falcon wing doors could not be opened leaving my child trapped inside. The child locks were on but I could not open the doors from inside or outside the vehicle even if I tried overriding the system. I attempted a vehicle restart and that did not resolve the issue.
What is on file about the body and structure, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 24V615000 HighAug 15, 2024 · 9,136 vehicles
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016 Model X vehicles. The front and center roof cosmetic trim pieces may be adhered to the vehicle without primer. As a result, one or both pieces of trim may separate from the vehicle.
- 22V264000 HighApr 18, 2022 · 1 vehicles
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling one 2022 Model X vehicle. A body structure reinforcement bracket was not installed at the second-row seat. As such, this vehicle fails to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 207, "Seating Systems" and 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
- 20V710000 HighNov 17, 2020 · 9,136 vehicles
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016 Model X vehicles. The front and spine cosmetic roof trim may have been adhered to the vehicle without first using primer. As a result, one or both pieces of trim may separate from the vehicle while moving.
2 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Dec 5, 2024
- For some Model X vehicles built before May 2018, should water seep into the printed circuit board of the rear door cladding sensor, an alert might be displayed on the touchscreen.
- Oct 31, 2024
- On some Model X vehicles, the front roof applique and/or center spine applique may have been applied to the roof without the use of primer, which could cause the applique(s) to separate from the roof. This bulletin employs an improved inspection process which replaces the one for SB-20-12-005.
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Tesla Model X
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Tesla Model X problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Tesla Model X years have the most body and structure complaints?
2016, 57; 2018, 23; 2019, 14. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2019 (14%).
Is there a recall for the body and structure on the Tesla Model X?
Yes — 3 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 24V615000 (2016), 22V264000 (2022), 20V710000 (2016). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do body and structure problems show up on the Tesla Model X?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 9,200 miles across the model years; half of them between 2,000 and 30,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Structure" heading cover?
Body panels, frame, roof rails, trim and glass as fitted. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.