The Tesla Model X turned heads when it first debuted in 2015 as a futuristic and environmentally friendly electric SUV. With its fancy falcon wing doors, roomy interior and impressive electric driving range, the Model X seemed like an exciting new luxury family vehicle.
However, over the past 7 years, cracks have begun to show in the Model X‘s shiny armor. As more consumers have purchased and lived with the Model X long-term, reliability problems, quality control issues, and subpar customer service are raising red flags.
If you‘re considering buying a Tesla Model X, this guide will walk you through 8 key reasons why you may want to look at alternative electric SUV options instead.
Overview of the Tesla Model X
Before diving into the specifics on why you may want to avoid the Model X, let‘s quickly recap what it is:
- Luxury midsize all-electric SUV
- Seats 5-7 passengers
- Falcon wing doors for rear accessibility
- Available all-wheel drive configurations
- Different battery options from 75 kWh to 100 kWh
- 258 to 348 miles of range per charge
- $108,000 – $138,000+ price range
So in a nutshell, the Model X competes with luxury gas-powered SUVs like the BMW X5, Audi Q7 and Mercedes GLE-Class. But its electric drivetrain and unique style set it apart.
Now onto the reasons why the Model X may not be the best choice despite the intrigue…
Reason 1: Reliability Concerns and Recalls
Reliability is make-or-break for any car purchase, especially in the luxury segment. When you‘re paying $100k+ for a vehicle, you expect dependability and peace of mind.
Unfortunately, the Model X has already had 6 different recalls since 2018 covering issues like:
- Power steering failure
- Suspension problems
- Airbag deployment concerns
- Child safety seat fitment
And in reliability studies, the Model X consistently scores below average:
- J.D. Power gives the Model X a 2.5 out of 5 rating for dependability [1]
- Consumer Reports ranked the Model X 27th out of 33 luxury midsize SUVs [2]
These factory defects and dependability issues in a newer luxury car are very concerning for buyers expecting a flawless ownership experience.
Reason 2: Widely Reported Quality Control Problems
Along with mechanical reliability headaches, Tesla seems to continually struggle with quality control and consistent fit-and-finish in Model X vehicles.
Owners and reviewers frequently report issues like:
- Large uneven panel gaps
- Misaligned interior trim
- Squeaks and rattles
- Leaky seals leading to water leaks
- Generally poor manufacturing precision
For a luxury vehicle with a premium price tag, it‘s unacceptable that these quality issues persist on the production line. Owners are rightfully upset when they have to make multiple service trips to fix shoddy construction issues on a six-figure family vehicle.
Reason 3: Difficult to Use Falcon Wing Doors
The falcon wing doors on the Model X certainly make a unique visual statement. But many owners report endless issues with the complex doors in real world use:
- Sensors frequently fail causing doors not to open or close properly [3]
- Doors don‘t fully close in winter weather with ice buildup [4]
- Extremely loud when opening and closing
- Can bump into objects in tight garages or parking spaces
Rather than being a standout feature, for many Model X owners the falcon wing doors end up being a headache they wish they could do without. Definitely test them extensively on a test drive before purchase.
Reason 4: Total Reliance on Central Touch Screen
Unlike other cars, the Model X forces drivers to control nearly all major vehicle functions through the large central touch screen:
- Climate settings
- Opening doors and trunks
- Adjusting mirrors, lights and wipers
- Shifting transmission in/out of drive
So if this touch screen ever fails, the driver would lose access to all of those vital controls. This single point of failure is scary in a vehicle focused so heavily on technology. Software bugs have caused touch screens to freeze/reboot during driving too. Traditional buttons and knobs provide needed redundancy.
Reason 5: Can‘t Test Drive Without Appointment
Surprisingly for a $100,000+ purchase, Tesla does not allow traditional test drives at local stores without an appointment. You must submit a request online and then scheddule a 30 minute test drive oriented around a potential purchase.
This sales process makes it very difficult to cross-shop the Model X properly against competitors. Test driving any new car properly takes time evaluating various driving scenarios. Without flexibility for longer drives or more casual evaluations, buyers may end up stuck with the Model X instead of finding the best luxury electric SUV for their needs.
Reason 6: Reports of Poor Customer Service
Given the higher than average problems with Tesla vehicles, you would hope the customer service experience would be smooth and hassle-free when issues inevitably come up.
Unfortunately, consumer complaints indicate dealing with Tesla support leaves much to be desired [5]:
- Extremely long hold times reaching support reps
- Repeated visits required to fix manufacturing defects
- Lack of responsive communication from Tesla
- Difficulty getting reimbursement for rental cars during repairs
- Long waits for parts needing replacement
Considering Tesla‘s focus on buyer experience, the poor and inconvenient support for existing owners seems very counter to their mission.
Reason 7: Lower Standard Federal Safety Ratings
The Tesla Model X received only middle-of-the-road 4-star overall safety ratings from NHTSA‘s stringent crash testing [6]. Competitors like the Volvo XC90, Audi e-tron and BMW iX score 5-star overall ratings for protecting passengers in accidents.
Given safety should be any automaker‘s primary concern, Tesla‘s mediocre crashworthiness score seems questionable on their flagship SUV. Families deserve the very highest protection available when spending six-figures on a vehicle.
Reason 8: Steep Drops in Resale Value
According to Autotrader estimates [7], the Tesla Model X is expected to retain only about 44% of its MSRP after 5 years of ownership. Other electric luxury SUVs fare better – the Audi e-tron is expected to retain 51%, the BMW iX 56%, the Rivian R1S 58% and the Mercedes-Benz EQS a market-leading 62%.
The Model X‘s steep depreciation means buyers should expect much higher long-term ownership costs through lower trade-in value and higher depreciation. Tesla‘s build quality issues likely significantly contribute to reduced resale confidence after a few years.
3 Model X Alternatives Worth Checking Out
If the reasons above have made you reconsider the Model X, here are a few all-electric alternatives to look at that avoid Tesla‘s drawbacks:
2023 BMW iX – With class-leading interior quality and the latest technology, the BMW iX brings a refined and reliable luxury experience. Test drivers praise the iX as "feeling like it was built to a higher standard."
2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV – This all-new electric SUV provides the same cutting-edge tech and innovation as the EQS sedan in a three-row family format. Early reviews applaud the superb comfort and refinement.
2023 Rivian R1S – The R1S SUV from startup Rivian has been winning over journalists and owners with its unique styling, off-road abilities and smart interior. Build quality seems far better as well.
Each of those alternatives cost similarly or even less than the Model X while avoiding Tesla‘s lingering quality control and customer service issues. They are definitely worth cross-shopping carefully during your buying process.
The Model X Still Has Potential (With Patience)
Despite its exciting technology and performance, the Tesla Model X has clearly exhibited too many chronic flaws since its rushed launch back in 2015. But with focused improvements in engineering refinement, manufacturing quality and service infrastructure over time, the vehicle‘s full promise may still be realized in the coming years.
Early adopters bought into that future potential despite the growing pains. But if you‘re shopping today in 2023, buying from a more established luxury automaker still seems the wiser choice for your $100k+ investment. Test drive that Model X thoroughly, but also recognize its unresolved shortcomings versus the latest competitors before deciding it‘s right for your family.
Sources:
[1] J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study
[2] Consumer Reports 2022 Brand Report Card – Tesla
[3] Electrek – "Tesla Model X owner goes on hunger strike…"
[4] Tesla Motor Club Forum – "Falcon doors won‘t fully close"
[5] Consumer Affairs – Tesla Service Reviews
[6] NHTSA – Model X Crash Test Results
[7] Autotrader – 2023 Tesla Model X Depreciation Projections
