2019 Tesla Model X driver assistance & safety tech problems

Related recalls

• Recall 22V169000Mar 18, 2022947 vehicles
  BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION

  Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Model S, Model X, and 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles equipped with Autopilot Computer 2.5 and operating certain firmware releases. The rearview image may not immediately display when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

  Risk: A delayed rearview camera image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-004.

• Recall 21V846000Oct 29, 202111,728 vehicles
  FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING · FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE:SOFTWARE · FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

  Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system.

  Risk: Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Tesla Service has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-00-004.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 15, 20255,000 miCADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2019 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that the Full Self-Driving system was updated in June 2025. Since the update, while idling at red traffic lights, the vehicle was surging forward as if it were trying to run the red light. The contact had to immediately depress the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from accelerating unintendedly. While attempting to make a right lane change, the vehicle suddenly seize mid-lane-change and returned the vehicle to the…

   NHTSA complaint #11693582 · source
2. Filed Sep 26, 2025NYCrashTowedDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) – Safety Incident Report: While using the vehicle’s ‘Summon’ feature, the car failed to stop when I released the control button. It continued forward, drove up and over a large curb, struck a signpost, and came to rest with one tire elevated on the curb/grass and the other three tires on the pavement. This “jumping curbs” behavior and collision with fixed objects represents a serious safety hazard. I am extremely grateful that no…

   NHTSA complaint #11689893 · source
3. Filed Jun 19, 2025WADriver Assistance & Safety TechVisibility & Wipers

   I own a 2019 Tesla Model X. After Tesla upgraded my vehicle from AP2.5 to the FSD hardware module, the front camera view became blurry. I disassembled the camera housing and found that a heated line in the windshield, intended to prevent fog or ice buildup in front of the camera, runs directly through the camera’s field of view. This line now causes noticeable image distortion, which interferes with safety-critical features such as FSD, forward collision warning, and lane…

   NHTSA complaint #11667961 · source
4. Filed May 4, 2024CODriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

   When operating under adaptive cruise control, the vehicle frequently slams on the brakes for no reason. This has become so bad that we are simply terrified to operate the vehicle under adaptive cruise control. The highway is completely empty in front of us, there are no hazards and no issues with visibility on the road. The cruise control simply reacts to a phantom in a highly dangerous manner. > What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for…

   NHTSA complaint #11586994 · source
5. Filed Sep 8, 202355,482 miMDDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemSuspension

   The contact owns a 2019 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that while turning the steering wheel, there was an abnormal sound coming from the front end near the tires and wheel wells. There was a vibration in the front end of the vehicle while driving. The Autopilot feature became inoperable. The "Autopilot camera unavailable" message was displayed. While driving, the instrument cluster went dark. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the…

   NHTSA complaint #11543337 · source
6. Filed Jun 10, 2023MNDriver Assistance & Safety TechOther / Unknown

   While driving on autopilot, adaptive cruise control essentially, on a 300 mile trip last week the car had several, I think 5 total, instances of phantom braking. These occurrences happen in random situations, no consistent factors that seem to indicate what triggers it. It is often not only startling, but scary since it is almost always in a high speed situation with traffic. These events have happened in the past but not at this frequency. We have another Tesla, a Model 3,…

   NHTSA complaint #11526371 · source
7. Filed May 18, 2023TXBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

   When using cruise control the car decides to randomly hard-brake dropping instantly 40+ mph OR it increases speed higher than the set cruise control for no reason. We literally have had our bodies slammed into the seats during braking and we will inevitably be rear-ended for this faulty “phantom” braking. We submitted a service request to Tesla on 5/18/23 and were told there’s nothing to be done because it’s in Beta Testing. This is dangerous and unacceptable. Almost all new…

   NHTSA complaint #11522751 · source
8. Filed May 12, 2023AZBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   Random phantom braking while on the open freeway with no traffic while in cruise control. it happened multiple times while on a road trip. there was not an obstacle or traffic in front of us. braking was hard almost to a skid

   NHTSA complaint #11521715 · source
9. Filed Mar 9, 2023CADriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   Proof Tesla FSD Beta v11.3.1 Running Red Lights. 1. https://youtu.be/qt56idWv9rw?t=455 2. https://youtu.be/iJbJS-UQIDc?t=1297 Proof it tryed to run a stale yellow light: https://youtu.be/4cJasL0_jFU?t=1404 Proof Emergency breaking Failed: https://youtu.be/4cJasL0_jFU?t=658

   NHTSA complaint #11510919 · source
10. Filed Sep 7, 2022NMDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

    What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -- Cruise Control system (with or without Full Auto-pilot engaged) How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? -- Vehicle comes to a near complete stop from highway speeds, in traffic, to avoid 'something' that doesn't exist Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? -- No, but can be reproduced on Highway 54 between El…

    NHTSA complaint #11483197 · source
11. Filed Jun 17, 2022NVDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

    Car brakes hard when nothing is in road and when it comes to stopped cars waits too long to brake and brakes too hard when using autopilot

    NHTSA complaint #11469844 · source
12. Filed Jun 3, 2022WADriver Assistance & Safety Tech

    We continue to experience "phantom braking" from our Tesla Model X. The incidents are sporadic, but have been been consistent across our 3 years of ownership of the car. The phantom brake incidents always occur on the freeway, and are rarely associated with an actual collision. The car will be set to standard "autopilot" cruise, and will suddenly slam on the brakes. We have become so accustomed to this, that we are usually ready to intervene and accelerate manually to avoid…

    NHTSA complaint #11467305 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology