My Tesla Model X's Falcon Wing Doors Work Perfectly Half The Time, The Other Half I'm Anxiously Waiting For Them To Open

When Tesla unveiled the Model X, the falcon wing doors weren’t just a design flourish; they were a declaration of war against the mundane. Elon Musk didn’t just want to electrify your commute; he wanted to rewrite the script for what an SUV could be. The doors were a visceral embodiment of that rebellion. They opened upward with the flourish of a Broadway curtain, offering a dose of drama to the dry world of family haulers. In theory, they solved a problem most people didn’t know they had: ingress and egress in tight parking spaces. In practice? Well, it depends on the day and possibly the alignment of the stars.

Falcon Wing Doors Redefine Innovation

Because the truth is, these doors, brilliant as they might be in conception, are temperamental. They work flawlessly, just long enough to lull you into a false sense of security. Then, one rainy Tuesday, with a carload of kids, groceries, and dignity on the line, they stop halfway. Maybe they sense an invisible obstruction. Maybe a bug in the software decides it’s time for a coffee break. Maybe, as one owner suggested, they just “sense a ghost and stop halfway up.” Either way, you’re left standing there, a reluctant performer in an awkward ballet of waving limbs and confused sensors.

This isn’t theoretical hand-wringing from internet warriors. These are real stories from real owners. Take Drew Barker, a Model X owner who recently vented his frustrations in the Tesla Model X Owners Facebook group:

"Alright, the doors…. Super cool and definitely a family favorite. But they don’t work 50% of the time.

 

Every time my door opens for carpool, dinner, or just getting home I’m anxious over if the door is actually going to open all the way or sense a ghost and stop halfway up. And then, wow how slow they respond after that.

Suggestions other than a service request?"

The responses were swift and empathetic. Paul Roberts chimed in that his kids now insist on being dropped off behind their school to avoid the shame of being seen exiting the vehicle. Tony Wong called the rear doors “the worst feature of the vehicle,” and Rick Ziller added salt to the wound by blasting the front door actuators, saying he’d disable them entirely just to escape the robotic slapstick in a rainstorm. It’s like being in a luxury version of a Rube Goldberg machine that occasionally refuses to cooperate.

When Tesla’s Doors Fail to Deliver

What was meant to be Tesla’s calling card has become a divisive symbol of over-engineering. Early owners were promised doors that could "sense obstacles" and adjust their path with the grace of a ninja (per Tesla’s marketing and InsideEVs). What they got was a system seemingly haunted by phantom limbs and erratic behavior. In forums like TeslaMotorsClub, threads stretch on for pages: doors failing during cold weather, leaking during rain, sensors misfiring because of reflected sunlight or parked cars that weren’t even close. One Plaid owner described a series of service calls so fruitless, the tech left without even touching the car.

Innovative Design & Functionality of Tesla’s Falcon Wing Doors

• The Tesla Model X features Falcon Wing doors that open upwards with a double-hinged design, allowing them to operate in tight parking spaces or low-ceiling environments. This design facilitates easier entry and exit for passengers, especially in areas where traditional doors might be obstructed. Sensors embedded in the doors detect obstacles, adjusting the opening trajectory to prevent collisions. ​
• The unique upward-opening mechanism provides a larger aperture compared to conventional doors, enabling passengers to stand upright while entering or exiting the second and third rows. This is particularly beneficial for installing child seats or assisting passengers with mobility challenges, as it reduces the need to bend or maneuver awkwardly. ​
• When opened, the Falcon Wing doors create a canopy-like effect, offering shelter from rain or snow. This design ensures that passengers remain dry and comfortable during ingress and egress, enhancing the overall user experience in adverse weather conditions.

And yet, when they work, they are majestic. Watching them arc open in a crowded parking structure, clearing a low ceiling and a neighboring SUV with ballet-like precision, is still a marvel of modern engineering.

It’s that tantalizing taste of the future that keeps people hooked. Tesla’s entire ecosystem runs on that principle: innovate first, troubleshoot later. But that formula, charming when the cars were niche, wears thin when you’ve paid six figures and still have to pre-game every school drop-off with a prayer and a Plan B.

Trust Issues Plague Tesla’s Falcon Wing Doors

The bigger problem is one of trust. These doors are no longer new. We’re nearly a decade into the Model X’s production, with years of software updates, hardware tweaks, and user data at Tesla’s disposal. And yet the falcon wings still behave like they’re in beta. 

Tesla Model X vs. Rivian’s Practical Alternatives

• The Tesla Model X offers a car-like driving experience with a focus on passenger comfort, featuring innovative elements like the Falcon Wing doors for easy access. In contrast, the Rivian R1S presents a more traditional SUV feel with robust off-road capabilities, appealing to consumers seeking adventure and utility. The R1S's design emphasizes practicality, including ample cargo space and a conventional door setup, catering to users prioritizing functionality over distinctive design features. ​
• Rivian has been making strides in the electric SUV market, with the R1S gaining attention for its performance and utility. While Tesla's Model X has established a strong presence, the emergence of Rivian's offerings has introduced competition, potentially influencing Tesla's market share. The R1S's appeal to a different segment of consumers, those interested in off-road capabilities and traditional SUV attributes, has allowed Rivian to carve out its niche. ​
• In the electric pickup market, Tesla's Cybertruck and Rivian's R1T have been direct competitors. Despite initial anticipation for the Cybertruck, reports indicate that it has not met sales expectations, with demand appearing to have peaked. Conversely, Rivian's R1T has maintained steady interest, appealing to consumers seeking a blend of traditional pickup design and electric performance. This dynamic suggests that Rivian is effectively capturing market share in the electric pickup segment, potentially at Tesla's expense.

That suggests the issue isn’t just a bad batch; it’s foundational. Either the concept is too complex for consistent execution, or Tesla has prioritized flash over fix. And in a world where legacy automakers are catching up fast, gimmicks that break too often aren’t just inconvenient, they’re brand-damaging.

So here we are: owners caught between admiration and annoyance, brand loyalty and buyer’s remorse. The falcon wing doors are a metaphor for the entire Tesla experience. Bold, beautiful, maddening. They ask for your faith and reward it… occasionally. And when they don’t? Well, you find yourself in a Facebook group, begging strangers for tips while hoping the neighbors aren’t watching you try to coax a door back to life.

Are Tesla’s Falcon Wing Doors Reliable?

In the end, the falcon wing doors are more than a feature, they’re a wager. A gamble on audacity over predictability. For some, they’re a daily thrill. For others, a daily reminder that even in the age of electric progress, sometimes a door that simply opens is still the best kind.

Image Sources: Tesla Media Center, Tesla Model X Owners Facebook Group

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.