There are two 2021 Tesla Model X cars. The first is the original design in its final form, with a 371-mile EPA rating. The second is the refreshed Model X with the yoke, a wide center screen and the Plaid option, which reached US buyers from October 2021.
Tesla built no Model S or X at all in the first quarter of 2021 while it retooled, and delivered about 2,020 from inventory. So early-2021 deliveries are original cars, and late-2021 deliveries are refreshed ones.
Two cars, one model year
The refresh was announced on January 27, 2021. Beyond the cabin, it brought a far faster AMD Ryzen infotainment computer, Supercharging at up to 250 kW on V3 stations, and the three-motor Plaid with a claimed 2.5 second 0 to 60 time. At first delivery the refreshed Long Range cost $99,990 and the Plaid $119,990, before destination.
The original car kept its Raven drivetrain, MCU2 screen computer and 200 kW Supercharging peak, but Tesla's October 2020 efficiency changes gave it the best EPA rating any original-design Model X ever had. The 2021 Tesla Model S went through the same split.
Crash ratings split too. NHTSA's "Early Release" 2021 record, the original car, has five stars overall and in every test. The "Later Release" record, which appears to be the refreshed car, carries only a five-star rollover score; frontal and side results were not published.
| NHTSA test | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5 stars |
| Frontal crash | 5 stars |
| Side crash | 5 stars |
| Rollover | 5 stars |
| Rollover risk | 9.3% |
Telling them apart in 30 seconds
- Screen: tall and vertical means original; wide with a rear-seat screen means refreshed.
- Steering: a round wheel with stalks is usually original. The refreshed car came with the yoke and touch buttons, though some have since been swapped to a round wheel (see the recall below).
- Gear selection: the refreshed car picks drive direction on the touchscreen.
- Delivery date: October 2021 or later points to a refreshed car.
The yoke, and recall 23V743000
Steering is the most common complaint area for the 2021 Model X: 13 of the 41 owner reports NHTSA had as of October 2026. Edmunds called the yoke the biggest pain point of the refreshed car's controls, and said touch buttons in place of stalks make lane changes more distracting.
Some owners had the yoke replaced with a round wheel. Recall 23V743000 covers cars where the wrong driver air bag was fitted during such a swap. If a refreshed car has a round wheel, ask for proof the recall was done.
41 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Model X. Most frequent areas (approximate order): steering; unknown or other; electrical system; forward collision avoidance; suspension; lane departure. Source: NHTSA complaints database.
24 recalls: six that need a service bay
As of October 2026, 24 recall campaigns include the 2021 Model X. That is the highest count of any Model X year, partly because two quite different cars share the model year. Most were over-the-air software fixes. These six needed a technician:
| Campaign | Problem | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| 21V868000 | Driver air bag may tear when deployed | Inspection or replacement |
| 22V233000 | Front curtain air bags may not deploy as intended with windows down (refreshed cars) | Air bags replaced |
| 23V488000 | Front belts may not be attached to pretensioner anchors | Inspected and repaired |
| 23V743000 | Wrong air bag after yoke or wheel swap | Correct air bag fitted |
| 24V967000 | Driver air bag cushion may tear | Air bag assembly replaced |
| 25V172000 | Wrong horn pad air bag may stop the horn working | Air bag replaced |
Among the software fixes, 22V050000 corrected a heat pump valve error that weakened windshield defrosting, and 22V296000 stopped the infotainment computer overheating during fast charging, which could blank the rearview camera. Check any VIN on NHTSA's recall search.
- 21V846000October 29, 2021Forward collision avoidance, sensing system, cameraSoftware update
Communication error may cause false forward collision warnings or unexpected automatic emergency braking. - 21V868000November 9, 2021Air bagsService visit
Driver air bag may tear during deployment. - 22V037000January 27, 2022Electrical system, adas, autonomous/self driving, softwareSoftware update
FSD (Beta) 'rolling stop' may let the vehicle go through an all-way stop without stopping; feature disabled. - 22V045000February 1, 2022Electrical system, softwareSoftware update
Seat belt reminder chime may not sound at start-up when the driver is unbelted. - 22V050000February 2, 2022Electrical system, softwareSoftware update
Heat pump valve software error can reduce windshield defrosting performance. - 22V063000February 4, 2022Electrical system, softwareSoftware update
Boombox can mask Pedestrian Warning System sounds (FMVSS 141); superseded by 22V235000.
Show all 24 recalls
- 22V233000April 8, 2022Air bags, side/window, curtainService visit
Front-row side curtain air bags may not deploy as intended when the windows are lowered (FMVSS 226). - 22V235000April 12, 2022Electrical system, softwareSoftware update
Boombox can mask Pedestrian Warning System sounds; Boombox disabled in Drive, Neutral, Reverse and Summon (supersedes 22V063000). - 22V296000May 3, 2022Back over prevention, display functionSoftware update
Infotainment CPU can overheat during fast charging, causing lag or a restart that blanks the rearview camera. - 22V702000September 19, 2022Visibility, power window devices and controlsSoftware update
Window automatic reversal may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction. - 22V818000November 1, 2022Steering, electric power assist systemSoftware update
Power steering assist can be lost on rough roads or after a pothole impact; steering system recalibrated. - 22V843000November 15, 2022Air bags, air bag/restraint control module, softwareSoftware update
Restraint control module calibration may deploy the front passenger air bag incorrectly in some low-speed crashes. - 23V085000February 15, 2023Steering, automated/adaptive steeringSoftware update
FSD Beta may act unsafely around intersections and respond poorly to speed limit changes. - 23V488000July 14, 2023Seat belts, frontService visit
Front seat belts may not be properly connected to the pretensioner anchors and can detach. - 23V679000October 11, 2023Electrical systemSoftware update
Controller may fail to detect low brake fluid and show no warning light. - 23V743000November 3, 2023Steering, steering wheel/handle barService visit
Wrong driver air bag may have been fitted when a yoke was swapped for a round wheel (or vice versa). - 23V838000December 12, 2023Electrical system, adas, autonomous/self driving, softwareSoftware update
Autosteer controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse. - 24V051000January 30, 2024Electrical system, instrument cluster/panelSoftware update
Brake, Park and ABS warning lights shown in a font that is too small (FMVSS 105/135). - 24V153000February 27, 2024Forward collision avoidance, warnings, external/pedestrian alertSoftware update
A factory reset can mute Pedestrian Warning System sounds (FMVSS 141). - 24V376000May 28, 2024Seat belts, front, warning light/devicesSoftware update
Seat belt warning light and chime may not activate for an unbelted driver (FMVSS 208). - 24V554000July 24, 2024Latches/locks/linkages, hood, latchSoftware update
Hood latch may not detect an unlatched hood after it has been opened. - 24V967000December 24, 2024Air bags, frontal, driver side, cushionService visit
Driver air bag cushion could tear during deployment; air bag assembly replaced. - 25V172000March 19, 2025Air bagsService visit
Driver air bag with an incorrect horn pad may stop the horn from sounding. - 26V283000May 5, 2026Back over prevention, softwareSoftware update
Rearview camera image may be delayed when the vehicle is put in reverse.
Source: NHTSA recalls API. A recall only applies if your VIN is listed.
Range: 371 rated miles vs Tesla's 360 estimate
The EPA figures for 2021 cover the original car: 371 miles for the Long Range Plus, and 341 or 300 for the Performance depending on wheels. We found no separate 2021 EPA listing for the refreshed car. Tesla quoted 360 miles for the refreshed Long Range at launch, and the EPA later rated the 2022 Model X range at 348 miles.
So on paper, the original is the longer-range 2021. In practice, how a used pack has been charged and where the car has lived matter more than an 11-mile gap on paper.
| Trim | EPA range | Efficiency | Home AC max | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Range Plus (pre-refresh) | 371 mi | 32 kWh/100 mi | 11.5 kW | n/a |
| Performance (pre-refresh, 20in wheels) | 341 mi | 35 kWh/100 mi | 11.5 kW | n/a |
| Performance (pre-refresh, 22in wheels) | 300 mi | 39 kWh/100 mi | 11.5 kW | n/a |
| Long Range (refreshed) | n/a | n/a | 11.5 kW | $99,990 |
| Plaid (refreshed) | n/a | n/a | 11.5 kW | $119,990 |
Home charging is the same either way
Both versions accept 48 A, or 11.5 kW, from a Wall Connector on a 60 A breaker, per Tesla's onboard charger page. That adds about 35 miles of range per hour, and empty to full takes roughly 9 to 10 hours. Neither has the 72 A option of older cars.
| How you charge | Speed |
|---|---|
| Wall Connector at 48 A (11.5 kW, 60 A breaker) | up to 35 mi of range per hour |
| NEMA 14-50 outlet, Mobile Connector at 32 A | about 23 mi per hour |
| Regular 120 V outlet | 2 to 3 mi per hour |
| Empty to full, largest pack (about 100 kWh) | about 9.5 hours at 11.5 kW |
Rates scale Tesla's published Wall Connector table for this model; older cars and cold batteries charge slower. Times are estimates.
If your garage already has a 50 A outlet, a Mobile Connector adds about 20 to 23 miles per hour instead; our 14-50 outlet guide weighs it against a hardwired unit. For new circuits, read what a new 240 V circuit costs before you get quotes.
Which 2021 Tesla Model X should you buy?
- You want a round wheel, stalks and maximum range: a pre-refresh Long Range Plus.
- You want the newer computer, faster Supercharging and rear screen: a refreshed Long Range, with all six service recalls signed off.
- You want speed: the Plaid, accepting the higher price and the yoke unless swapped.
Neighboring years: the Tesla Model X 2020 is the full-year original, and the 2022 is the first full refreshed year. Our every Model X year compared hub ranks them all.
Questions about the 2021 Model X
How do I know if a 2021 Model X is the refreshed version?
Look at the dashboard. The refreshed car has a wide center screen, a small screen for rear passengers and, on most cars, a yoke with no stalks. The original has a tall vertical screen and a round wheel with stalks. A refreshed 2021 was delivered from October 2021 onward, so a car delivered earlier in 2021 is the original design.
What is the range of a 2021 Tesla Model X?
The pre-refresh Long Range Plus is EPA rated at 371 miles, and the pre-refresh Performance at 341 on 20-inch wheels or 300 on 22-inch wheels. For the refreshed 2021 car we found no separate EPA listing; Tesla quoted 360 miles for the Long Range and estimated 340 for the Plaid. The 2022 refreshed ratings are 348 and 333.
How many recalls does the 2021 Model X have?
NHTSA lists 24 campaigns covering the 2021 Model X as of October 2026, the most of any Model X year. Most are software fixes delivered over the air. Six needed a service visit, mainly air bags and seat belts, and several apply only to the refreshed car. Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall site to see which ones cover a specific vehicle.
Is the 2021 Model X Plaid worth it?
Only if you want the acceleration. Tesla claims 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds from 1,020 horsepower, at a launch price of $119,990 before destination. The refreshed Long Range has the same screens, computer and Supercharging speed, more range and cost $20,000 less new. Both charge at the same 48 A at home.
Does the refreshed 2021 Model X have radar?
Yes, if it was built before mid-February 2022, which covers refreshed 2021 cars. Tesla removed radar from North American Model S and X production after that point and moved them to camera-only Tesla Vision. Every pre-refresh 2021 car also has radar and ultrasonic parking sensors, so neither version of the 2021 is a camera-only car.
Sources
- NHTSA recalls, 2021 Tesla Model X, api.nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA safety ratings, 2021 Model X Early Release, api.nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA safety ratings, 2021 Model X Later Release, api.nhtsa.gov
- InsideEVs: EPA range and efficiency for the 2021 Model X, insideevs.com
- Motor Authority: refreshed 2021 Model S and X revealed, motorauthority.com
- CleanTechnica: Tesla Q1 2021 deliveries, cleantechnica.com
- electrive: Tesla launches refreshed Model X deliveries in the USA, electrive.com
- NHTSA recall 23V743000 detail, api.nhtsa.gov
- Edmunds: 2022 Tesla Model X (yoke and controls), edmunds.com
- InsideEVs: Tesla removes radar from Model S and X, insideevs.com
- Tesla Support: Onboard charger, tesla.com
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