2016 Tesla Model X: loss of power steering

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 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 27, 2026 · Steering · 80,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that while driving during a rainstorm, the power steering assist feature suddenly failed, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The driver was able to forcefully turn the steering wheel and drive the vehicle a short distance to the residence. The vehicle was later towed to the local Tesla Service Center who diagnosed that the steering rack circuit board had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V062000 (STEERING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Oct 11, 2025 · Steering · CA

While driving, the steering suddenly failed — the wheel spun freely with no response from the front wheels. This occurred at a stoplight shortly after exiting the freeway; had it happened minutes earlier at highway speed, it could have caused a serious crash. The vehicle was towed to a Tesla Service Center, which confirmed an under-torqued and stripped bolt on the intermediate steering shaft connecting to the steering rack. The steering column module, shaft, and rack were replaced. This was the second major steering incident in six months. In April, the same part had seized, making the steering extremely stiff. Tesla replaced the intermediate shaft then, but immediately after pickup, the car veered sharply left and triggered a traction control alert. Only after I returned did they perform an alignment and test drive. That means the first repair was released to me without a post-repair safety check. The October failure involved the same component, suggesting negligent workmanship or a recurring defect in the steering connection. Total loss of steering control represents a critical safety hazard that could lead to loss of life. I strongly believe this issue warrants an investigation and possible recall.

Filed Sep 8, 2025 · Steering · LA

The steering is stiff and hard to turn this is the second time this has happened. It happened last year around this same time. I took to Tesla service in New Orleans for repair and they said they cleaned the bolts and reconnected the line. And now the car is experiencing the same issue

Filed Apr 16, 2024 · Steering, Suspension · 66,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model X. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal squeaky and clunking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the Tesla Service Center, where the front driver's side and the passenger's side front upper control arms links and bushings were replaced, and the four-wheel alignment was performed. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was significantly resistant. The vehicle was taken to the Tesla Service Center, where the intermediate lower steering column shaft was replaced. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 20-30 MPH and making a right turn, the steering wheel became significantly loose, causing the contact to lose steering control. Additionally, the wheels failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that the vehicle was perpendicular to oncoming traffic at the time of the failure. The contact parked the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to the Tesla Service Center, where it was being diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

Filed Apr 18, 2023 · Steering · NC

Power steering went out, and it was very difficult to turn the car, I called Tesla, and asked for a repair, I also stated the 20V062000 the federal safety agency recall and was told my car was not on warranty, my car fits exactly the recall number listed by the federal safety agency, I requested a refund and was denied. I had to drive the car 88 miles to Raleigh, I was put at a very high risk of safety to get the car fixed the steering was hard to pull and control, especially on stops and turns. NO warning messages, I discovered it when I was backing my car in the garage and did not drive it until I had to drive to Raleigh to get it fixed. The car was not inspected, I had to drive it to Raleigh for the repair. The consumer stated she requested to be reimbursed by Tesla but the request was denied.

Filed May 31, 2022 · Suspension · TX

Reversing my car into a parking spot at low speed, I heard a loud pop noise from front driver side and the steering became hard to turn. Attempting to turn the wheel and backing up so I am not in the way of other cars resulted in a grinding noise and popping noises. Drove the car forward so I am in an empty part of the parking lot. This lead to more loud popping noises and grinding sounds. Once I was in a safe area, noticed that the entire front driver side wheel was shifted backward and was not centered in the wheel well. While parked, I could move the driver side wheel back and forth with my hand without too much pressure. The same was not the case for the passenger side front wheel. Pictures added showing two extreme positions of the wheel in the wheel well.

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.

Filed Apr 7, 2017 · Suspension · 1,000 miles · CA

I am filing this complaint due to the fact that tesla owners are failing to report similar suspension failures themselves due to brand loyalty and investment in tesla. Here is a new thread on which several owners report snapped suspension components. Https://www.reddit.com/r/teslamotors/comments/63dtws/tesla_model_x_suspension_quality_issue_passenger/ snip: I was driving my model x p90d on a local street 2 days ago. When I made a v-shaped right turn at the slow speed of 5 to 10 mi/h, I hit a very small pothole and heard a bang. There was no vibration at all, so I didn't pay attention at the time. The car was driving perfectly normal for the rest of that day. I drove another 40 miles or so, including 20 miles on the highway with 60+ mi/h speed. The issue came up the next day when I was pulling my car out of the garage. I heard another bang when the car was backing, and my steering became stiff. The car wouldn't move anymore. Then the "suspension needs service" warning came out the instrument panel. I came out and check the car, found out that the entire front wheel snapped off! The pothole wasn't that big, it's only 2 inches deep, max. There was no repeated hard impacts. I wouldn't even say that particular impact was hard! I only had the car for 2 months and had only 1000 miles on it. Photos are attached. Please do not allow this dangerous situation to continue. A recall is long overdue. Thank you. Concerned citizen who shares the roads with these teslas.

Filed Apr 4, 2017 · Suspension · 6,500 miles · NY

I was driving my model x p90d on a local street 2 days ago. When I made a v-shaped right turn at the slow speed of 5 to 10 mi/h, I hit a very small pothole and heard a bang. There was no vibration at all, so I didn't pay attention at the time. The car was driving perfectly normal for the rest of that day. I drove another 40 miles or so, including 20 miles on the highway with 60+ mi/h speed. The issue came up the next day when I was pulling my car out of the garage. I heard another bang when the car was backing, and my steering became stiff. The car wouldn't move anymore. Then the "suspension needs service" warning came out the instrument panel. I came out and check the car, found out that the entire front wheel snapped off! I'm glad that it only happened to me at my garage but not on the highway.

Filed Sep 15, 2016 · Suspension · 5,000 miles · CA

Here is further proof that there is a design and/or materials problem with tesla's suspensions. This was posted today on the official tesla motors forum. Https://forums.tesla.com/forum/forums/model-x-front-suspension-failure condensed version of post: yesterday, I was parking my model x90d in the parking garage at work, I was making a sharp turn as I was backing into a parking spot (in manual mode, not autopark), when I heard a bang and my steering became stiff. When I tried moving the car, it felt like it wouldn't want to move. When I moved forward, the car front part felt like it was lifted up an inch or so. I stopped, got out, got onto my knees and crawled under the front suspension to see what was going on. It was obvious to me that there was a front suspension failure. The wheel appeared to contact the wheel well. I refrained from making any further movement as the wheel well was acting as a giant brake on the tire. This morning, got a call from the service center, they confirmed that the driver side control arm had cracked and was broken. . As a precaution they are replacing the control arm on the passenger side too.. I am surprised that the control arm cracked as the fatigue cycles on the part would have been low. I think when one is making an extreme turn, the control arm will be most stressed and it appears the stress analysis done may not have fully captured the loads during the extreme turn. I was driving at less than 5 MPH while reverse parking when it failed. I shudder to think what could have happened if this failure occurred as I was on an expressway at speed, taking a turn/on a curved exit ramp, possibly made worse if I was on autopilot. Please do not give tesla any more benefit of the doubt but instead take immediate action to prevent loss of life.