What 417 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Tesla Model X 90d

My car failed state inspection: "Ball Joint on Right Front Lower Control Arm has excessive play. Part# 1048951-00-B" This is the THIRD such part that need replacement since I have owned the vehicle (four+ years). The replacement solution was a different part, which was not compatible with the second existing Ball Joint (replaced in 2018, approximate) for the passenger side of the vehicle. Therefore, the second ball joint (which was functional) was replaced to facilitate alignment of the wheel. Therefore, I paid DOUBLE the cost to mitigate the issue. While waiting for repair service, at least two or possibly three other Tesla owners appeared for repair of the same type of issue. The concern is that the parts used in assembly were defective.

NHTSA ODI 11436477

The electrical components in our steering wheel have stopped working, disabling the horn. The horn itself can be deployed from the Tesla phone app (so I know the horn itself is not bad). Additionally, the control buttons on the steering wheel no longer work. A simple google search reveals that this is a widespread problem with Tesla vehicles. Not having a working mechanism to deploy the horn is a very serious safety issue --as the horn is intended to be used to warn careless drivers from coming into your lane, alert distracted pedestrians, etc. Despite seeing this failure across a wide array of its vehicles, Tesla is issuing 4-figure repair estimates --or at least that is what they did for me. Tesla should be required to replace its failing components as a matter of public safety. I can assure you that people will be injured and/or die because of Tesla's failure to act. Please feel free to call me if you would like to discuss. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11435662

Front lower fore links. Catastrophic failure while navigating a parking lot. Was told this just happens and that they just break... This vehicle only has 14000 miles. It was not available for inspection, despite receiving recent service. There were no indications of any kind that this kind of failure could occur or might occur. The car would come to an abrupt stop and halt. I have a major concern that it could have caused serious injury at any kind of speed. Video link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L9kSAakQmkkFVts8TIaKvAedru3I7wgf/view?usp=drivesdk

NHTSA ODI 11434697

The contact owns a 2016 TESLA Model X. The contact’s wife stated while driving 15 MPH, she heard a sound coming from underneath the vehicle and the rear passenger’s wheel was bent outward from the subframe of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer and it was diagnosed with needing the control arms to be replaced. The subframe assembly was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,900.

NHTSA ODI 11434103

All of the display in the front has started leaking with bubbles forming on center as well driver display. There was a recall for this issue that included 2016 model X but Tesla says that my vehicle was not included in the recall. I am not sure how did they selectively include or exclude cars from that recall.

NHTSA ODI 11434115

I was leaving my gym parking lot, backing out of my parking space. I tried to turn my car and I heard a scraping noise, and the car was difficult to turn. I was able to make it the half a block to Tesla. (In the past I had this scraping noise/issue before and the car was serviced in Jan 2019 when a Tech rode with me to hear the scraping noise I was complaining about, and again in March 2021. At that time Tesla stated the issue was tire related and the tires were checked with no issues observed.) On July 30, 2021 my car was entered into service at Tesla Service Center- 6701 Amador Plaza Rd., Dublin, Ca. 94568 at 8:30am. I let Tesla know I was moving out of state August 8th, 2021. From 7/30- 8/16 Tesla would set a pickup date and then call me to push back the date . This happened several times. I had to rent a minivan out-of pocket in order to complete my drive from California to Colorado. Now on 8/18/21 my car is still in California, and I had to pay a shipping service to have my car shipped to me- out of my pocket. The issue with my 2016 Model X was broken left and right forelinks as stated on the service invoice. Tesla has stated that these parts were replaced. In researching this, I found that this was a problem with other vehicles of my particular year/model. There was no warning when this happened. I could easily have been driving with my family on a crowded freeway during our move, but I was thankfully in a parking lot. I have paid the Service invoice $878.10 out of pocket since my car is out of warranty. I feel Tesla knew about this problem. They failed to diagnose/fix this issue the 2 previous times I took it in. My car was under warranty the 1st time. My car is available for inspection to the NHTSA, and I am planning on having it inspected on it's arrival to Colorado next week.

NHTSA ODI 11429586

The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that the display screen went blank while driving at various speeds without warning. The contact restarted the vehicle and the display screen functionality returned; however, the failure recurred soon after restart. The contact then received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting). The contact took the vehicle to a service center and was informed that there was a limited amount of parts to repair the vehicle. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not on the priority list for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle remained at the dealer and was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11428915

I had my Tesla Model X MCU replaced per the recall. Prior to having the MCU replaced I had numerous (more than 20) episodes of the car just shutting down and losing all power and would not restart for anywhere from 3 to 20 minutes. Many times after the vehicle would restart the main control screen would remain black, there would be no access to any of the controls usually accessible there. Other times there would be no navigation, radio or HVAC available. When reporting these issues I was told to keep trying to reboot that it was a known software issue. When the recall was finally announced I checked frequently for appointments for a replacement chip which were not abundantly available. When I was finally able to get an appointment for the recall, the service center assured me that the replacement MCU would make things better but I also had the option to upgrade to a better chip for $2K but lose many options like FM and XM radio, which I use. Since the MCU replacement I have continued to have these same issues AND my phone will no longer pair with the vehicle to provide the hands free use I had previously. I have worked with Tesla to try to resolve these issues and I am told by their technicians that this is a known software issue that is happening to "older" Model S and Model X vehicles and there is no current projection as to when this will get resolved as it is on the back burner. My car is a 2016 with 40K miles! How is this OK? How is this not a safety issue? TODAY THE CAR WENT COMPLETELY DARK/DEAD WHILE I WAS DRIVING!!! Luckily I was driving in a parking deck and there was no resulting accident. I have called Tesla customer service and messaged the local service center to report these issues multiple times. Even the corporate customer service rep has difficulty reaching them directly. It is so sad to have such a nice vehicle with issues like this. We have talked about trading it in but ethically cannot fathom passing these known issues on to someone else.

NHTSA ODI 11428811

Tesla refusing to allow me to make a service appointment to rectify an open NHTSA recall. Said they’ll contact me when it’s available to be fixed. This was two months ago and still haven’t heard back from them on when I can have my recall fixed. Messaged and called the actual service center, no authorization to bring car in for repair. Recall information below

NHTSA ODI 11427258

While driving straight at about 30mph on the parkway, the connecting rods for the front left wheel suddenly failed. This caused a dangerous grinding of the front left wheel against the wheel well, damaging the tire and wheel well, while pulling dangerously to the left. The car was not drivable after the failure. The car had about 60,000 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11427022

A suspension arm (Tesla called it a 'front left fore link') broke on February 2nd, 2021. I was drive about 5 MPH in a straight line to stop at a lighted intersection. There was not any undue strain. The car had less than 34K miles at the time. Towed the vehicle to Tesla and paid $2269 for the repair plus $100 to tow. Now the car wobbles (some call it 'whompy wheel') at low speeds (under 30 MPH). Have an appointment to diagnose on August 6, 2021. Tesla wants $210 to diagnose.

NHTSA ODI 11426802

I am complaining because Tesla has failed to remedy safety recall # 21V035 for my vehicle in a timely manner. Soon after I bought my car in 2016, I started experiencing issues with the center display, which Tesla was unwilling to address. Finally in 2021, NHTSA recall # 21V035 was created that would address my safety issues. In this recall dated February 5 2021, Tesla agreed to "Tesla will replace the VCM daughterboard that has the Hynix 8GB eMMC with a VCM daughterboard that has an enhanced 64GB Micron eMMC, free of charge." On February 2 2021, Tesla emailed me: The email says in part: "Tesla has decided to voluntarily recall certain Model S and Model X vehicles built before March 2018 that are equipped with an 8GB embedded MultiMediaCard (eMMC) in the media control unit because the eMMC may malfunction due to accumulated wear. Our records show that you own a Model S or Model X affected by this recall. ... Additionally, Tesla will upgrade, free of charge, the eMMC on your vehicle with an enhanced 64GB eMMC.There is no need at this time to contact us as we will notify you when the parts become available. " On March 5 2021, Tesla emailed me again saying ""Your vehicle is subject to conditions covered under the 8GB embedded MultiMediaCard (eMMC) recall that addresses the malfunction of the eMMC memory chip due to accumulated wear. " Every time I have contacted Tesla about this recall, Tesla has given me the runaround stating they are "still waiting for parts to become available", by which they presumably mean the "VCM daughterboard with the enhanced 64GB eMMC". This is a very effective way for Tesla to avoid the responsibility and cost while my safety problem persists. As a reminder, the recall is now nearly 6 months old, and the underlying safety problems have persisted for years prior to the recall being initiated. Tesla must fix my car promptly by either: a. replacing the VCM daughterboard b. replacing the entire MCU, such as with the current safer version

NHTSA ODI 11426294

The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the front driver’s side door would not completely close or lock securely. The contact then received a message from the manufacturer’s APP, indicating that the vehicle was not locked securely. Also, a gel-like substance was leaking from the monitor display unit onto the monitor screen posing a visibility hazard while using the backup camera. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local service center and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,570.

NHTSA ODI 11426008

The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model X. The contact stated while driving 5 mph, the contact heard a squeaking sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact continued driving to the residence. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the driver’s side upper control arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer and the passenger’s side upper control arm was replaced. The contact stated that a year later the failure recurred on the passenger’s side upper control arm and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the front and rear suspension were leaning to the passenger’s side. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,451.

NHTSA ODI 11425000

The tegra daughter board failed inside the MCU, which is the "brain" of the car. Tesla had known this would happen and yet they did not do anything about it beforehand. The central screen of the car would not turn on despite me trying reboot the computer 15 times. The air conditioning would not work. I had to drive my tesla 30 miles without the turn signal working and the falcon door half open (falcon door could not close completely because the central computer was not working). I am a widow with 3 young kids less than 10. I cannot imagine what would happen if the kids were in the car with me. I paid $$791.70 for the replacement of the daughter board. Several months later I received an email saying that I might be eligible for reimbursement. However, when I logged into my tesla account, it says my car is not eligible for reimbursement without providing a reason. I reached out to tesla support through email. But the email offered no help. It just says the team that reviews eMMc related issues will not receive forwarded cases from tesla support and that I will not receive any replies from them if I send them further emails. I did reply to the email and never receive any reply from them. I believe that I'm eligible for reimbursement and I would like the eMMc team to review my Model X information. I would like to get in contact with the eMMc team and be provided a reason for my ineligibility for reimbursement.

NHTSA ODI 11424880

The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that the control panel which controls all the important functions inside the vehicle had malfunctioned. The contact performed a hard reset for the control panel to display and function as designed. The reset took approximately 3-5 minutes. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and an unknown repair was performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown. Consumer stated vehicle was repaired and $1,600+ was paid out of pocket but vehicle is still malfunctioning.*JB

NHTSA ODI 11423952

While driving slowly, making parking maneuvers, I heard a clunk sound from the right front wheel. Afterwards, sometimes when I turned right, I can hear screeching sounds. After bringing the vehicle to the Dublin, CA Tesla Service Center, the initial inspection revealed a broken control arm. Repairs call for the replacement of both right and left FORE control arms. The repair estimate is attached below.

NHTSA ODI 11423667

While backing into driveway at low speed (<5mph), I turned the wheel sharply and heard loud clunk from front end followed by large noise of dragging. Exited car to see that front drivers side suspension was broken and dragging on top of wheel rendering car undrivable. Could have resulted in serious loss of control had it occurred at higher speed. Called Tesla service who dispatched tow truck. Paid $450 to tow to nearest Tesla Service Center where they diagnosed failed lower fore link control arm. Per Tesla service bulletin SB-17-31-001 this is a known defect where the installed part did not meet Tesla specs. Vehicle has under 28K miles, but was charged >$1100 for out of warranty repair. Seems bizarre that they acknowledged a defective part since 2017 but never replaced during any service visits and now will not replace because vehicle is out of warranty. Seems to be a very common issue, so why hasn't there been a recall?

NHTSA ODI 11422922

The door seals on the falcon wing doors leak anytime there is any amount of water on them. Tesla knows about the faulty seals and used improved seals for newer models.

NHTSA ODI 11422840

Although the NHTSA had pushed Tesla on the refresh rate of the memory and Tesla had remedied the memory on my car that is only one issue. The computer has slowed to a point that the car no longer operates consistently and is there a risk. There needs to be mandatory testing that software upgrades do not make any of the processes that the car is supposed to do inoperable or inconsistent. I had recognized many issues over the last 1.5 years that my car was not working or was extremely slow in reacting and have had my car brought into Tesla because of it many many times. I then heard about the memory issue and pushed Tesla to refresh it but that still has not resolved the regular issues. This is currently impacting Tesla but will impact all cars in the future as computers are the main inner working for vehicles such as EV’s As far as my wife is concerned about her car she has a $125k anchor. Tesla’s reply to me is to spend over $2,000 and upgrade the computer.

NHTSA ODI 11421459

The seatbelt has stopped retracting fully and became twisted. Although Tesla repair personnel have repeatedly untwisted the belt, it immediately becomes twisted again and stops retracting.

NHTSA ODI 11419743

The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that the gear shifter, windshield wipers, brakes, and accelerator pedals were the only manually operated functions within the vehicle, all of which work as designed. All other functions were operated by a central computer system which would simultaneously become inoperable. The failures lasted between three to five minutes. Additionally, the failure would occur while driving at various speeds or while the vehicle was idle. The computer would reboot itself and function as normal. There was no warning. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated that the issue was normal and would fix itself after an update. The contact stated that updates on the system would occur every few weeks to few months and several had already occurred however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there were no recalls on the VIN. The repairs were no longer covered under warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

NHTSA ODI 11417867

The front left suspension fore link failed, making the car undrivable. We were leaving our driveway at low speed, and the wheel collapsed, dragging against the skirt and creating loud noises and lurching. The steering wheel could not be turned. No collision or other unusual force applied. Car at 36k miles. Tesla repaired, confirmed there was no collision. They said they replaced with an updated part indicating to us the original post is inadequate for safe driving. Since out of warranty we paid the $900+ to replace the inadequate part out of pocket.

NHTSA ODI 11417978

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 TESLA MODEL X. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STOPPING AND PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND DROVE FORWARD CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE THROUGH A BUSH AND DRIVE OFF A RETAINING WALL AND ENDED UP CRASHING INTO A CAR. DURING THE INCIDENT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. NO POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE LOCAL TESLA SERVICE CENTER LOCATED AT 52 DERWOOD CIR, ROCKVILLE, MD 20850 WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,628. THE CONSUMER STATED THE LOCAL DEALER ESCALATED THE COMPLAINT TO TESLA HQ AND TESLA COULDN'T DOWNLOAD THE DATA AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI 11416272

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TESLA MODEL X. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REVERSING, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BENT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TESLA (6701 AMADOR PLAZA RD, DUBLIN, CA 94568, (925)361-1173) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FORK LINK ASSEMBLY KIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,500.

NHTSA ODI 11415600