2016 Tesla Model X: sudden loss of power

Filed Nov 9, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · CA

Dear [XXX] and Tesla Corporate Resolutions, I am following up on your XXX correspondence regarding my 2016 Tesla Model X. I am formally disputing Tesla's previous determination that the steering and braking failures were unrelated to the recent 12-volt battery repairs. The same safety-related failures have returned, and I now have another service appointment scheduled for Monday, xxx, at Tesla League City. Original Failure and Repair History On xxx, my vehicle displayed multiple warnings involving reduced power steering assistance, reduced braking assistance, disabled ABS, and unavailable regenerative braking. Tesla representative [XXX] subsequently informed me that a blown fuse had been identified and repaired. He stated that the repair cost was waived and that the vehicle was functioning properly. Tesla also provided a photograph of the blown fuse through the Tesla application. My vehicle was returned on XXX. However, on XXX, only 29 days later, substantially the same safety warnings returned. XXX Visit and XXX Appointment After the warnings returned, I initially scheduled service at Tesla [XXX] because that location offered the earliest available appointment. However, Tesla Customer Service specifically advised me to return to the original repair location because this was a recurring concern. Following those instructions, I returned to Tesla League City on XXX. During my interaction with [XXX], he advised me that his diagnostic laptop was registering only two of the six warnings visibly displayed on my vehicle's touchscreen. I find this discrepancy extremely concerning. My vehicle is displaying multiple safety-system warnings, yet Tesla's diagnostic equipment is reportedly recognizing only two. I have another appointment scheduled at Tesla League City for Monday, XXX, to address these continuing problems. Documented Safety Warnings INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 4, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · CA

I own a 2016 Tesla Model X P100D equipped with the Large Drive Unit (LDU). The component that fails is the rotor coolant seal in the rear drive unit motor. Coolant leaks internally into the motor and inverter, causing bearing wear, corrosion, isolation faults, and eventual complete drive unit failure. The affected drive units are still installed and available for inspection upon request. This defect puts my safety and the safety of others at risk because it can cause sudden loss of propulsion (especially at highway speeds), power reduction, or total drivetrain shutdown, potentially leading to a crash. Coolant in high-voltage areas also raises electrical fault/fire risks. The problem is widely reproduced and confirmed: Tesla service centers are familiar with it and replace failed units with updated “-U” revisions that include a coolant bypass. Independent EV shops confirm the exact root cause (rotor seal failure) via encoder inspections showing coolant intrusion and through disassembly. This is a documented pattern failure in all 2012–2020 LDU vehicles. No police or insurance inspections have occurred yet, as no crash or total failure has happened. Tesla is aware of the recurring issue through service records on similar vehicles. Early symptoms before full failure typically include rear motor whining/grinding (especially under load), reduced power warnings, “Rear Drive Unit Fault” messages, and visible coolant on the speed sensor. These can appear gradually. My vehicles have not yet experienced total failure, but the defect is known to be inevitable. I am proactively monitoring encoder sensors. Because this is a systemic design defect affecting thousands of vehicles with clear safety implications, I request the federal safety agency open an investigation and require Tesla to issue a recall for free repairs/replacements on all affected 2012–2020 LDU vehicles.

Filed Mar 20, 2026 · Steering · AL

I don't think Tesla ever did the steering bolt recall per SB-20-32-002 on my vehicle. I had all the bolts fail, with obvious corrosion, and the motor separated from the rack causing a loss of power steering while moving. You can see where the bolt physically failed and the corrosion both on the remainder of the bolt and the entire mating surface of the motor to the steering rack. Going back through my service records, it is only listed once on 9 June 2021 with notes of "Parts not available" hidden in the comments. Tesla is telling me this was done, with comments about a January 2021 visit, but I never took it to them in January (I did in February) and the February visit has no mention of the recall. Regardless, one of two things happened: either Tesla didn't do the recall and I fell victim to the issue or the recall was done and the new, updated bolts still failed due to corrosion and exposure to a corrosive, winter environment. I still suspect the former for the reason that no visible evidence of the protective wax coating required by the TSB could be seen on the motor or steering rack. Perhaps they swapped the bolts but didn't apply the wax, which allowed for continued corrosion? I won't know for sure until they continue with the repair, but I'm worried they are going to toss the parts and sweep this under the rug and foot me with the full bill. Regardless, I want this documented that I had a failure despite the recall so that any other owner with a similar problem can see this record.

Filed Jan 23, 2023 · Driver assistance, Steering · CA · crash

Possibly loss of power to the steering wheel, caused the car hitting the freeway middle cement separator Tesla refuses to look at my drive report to identify the exact fault of the car This happened on November 4th and I see there was an issue with Tesla cars due to a faulty software download during that time I’ve reached out to Tesla numerous numerous times, they refuse to review the report and identify the malfunction

Filed Aug 12, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · VA

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.

Filed Feb 12, 2020 · Steering · 60,000 miles · NY

As I was driving, I heard loud grinding noise when I turned the steering in either direction and I lost power to my steering and a message "power steering failure, may need extra effort to steer" was on the dashboard. Luckily I was not too far from my house and was able to go back home with lots of extra effort turning the steering. I don't know what would have happened if I was going full speed on a busy highway? I called tesla service and had my car towed to tesla latham, ny service center. I have 60,000 miles. So I was out of manufactures warranty. I was told that I need new rack and pinion for my car and the cost would be $3863.40 parts & labor. To say the least, I was shocked. I was told that three aluminum bolts that holds the electric motor attached to rack and pinion, two were completely broke off and the third was barley holding the motor hanging. Please see attached photos of the damaged parts. I did notice on the repair invoice that new rack and pinion now is updated with steel bolts.