Tesla Model X loss of power problems

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 8, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · CA

While driving the vehicle on the freeway, the driver noticed the car was handling unusually at highway speeds. After exiting the freeway at approximately 45 mph, the accelerator pedal failed to decelerate properly when the foot was lifted from the pedal. A warning message appeared on the display screen indicating the vehicle was shutting down while the vehicle was still in motion. The vehicle subsequently became completely inoperable and had to be towed to a Tesla service center. Tesla's own technician confirmed multiple Battery Management System faults and an internal fault within the high voltage battery pack. A full HV battery replacement was required. The vehicle had been purchased 14 days prior and had only been driven approximately 723 miles at the time of the incident. Safety of driver and passengers was at risk due to unexpected loss of power and loss of accelerator response while driving at speed.

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 Apr 3, 2026 · Steering · AR

Lost power steering while I was driving multiple time and I couldn't turn. Later the alert also come on and off but sometime the steering is fine. Found out on Tesla Model X facebook group people are having the same issues.

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 Feb 18, 2026 · Electrical · PA

On February 17 at approximately 9:30 AM, while my wife was driving uphill, the vehicle abruptly shut down and became completely disabled. It began rolling backward despite her attempting to accelerate. Multiple warning alerts activated simultaneously, and the vehicle would not respond to forward input. Our [XXX] child was in the vehicle at the time. A total loss of power while in motion, combined with unintended rollback on an incline, represents a catastrophic safety defect. This was not a minor malfunction — it created a direct and immediate risk of collision and serious injury. Compounding this concern, on the morning following the incident at approximately 6:00 AM, I discovered one of the vehicle doors open without any user interaction. The vehicle had been secured the night before. This raises serious questions regarding electronic reliability and system integrity. Given the severity of these failures, I have lost confidence in the safety and dependability of this vehicle. My family’s safety cannot be subjected to further uncertainty. If this matter is not resolved promptly and satisfactorily, I am prepared to pursue all available legal and regulatory remedies, including formal complaints to appropriate federal safety authorities. Please confirm receipt of this letter and provide a written response outlining next steps within five business days. This situation placed my wife and child in direct danger. I expect a resolution that reflects the seriousness of that fact. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 5, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · GA

The 2018 Model X experienced a sudden and complete loss of power and became totally inaccessible. All doors and access points were inoperable and the vehicle could not be unlocked, disconnected, powered on, or placed into any service or tow mode. Emergency front-trunk release cables had to be used and external 12-volt power applied at the jump terminals to wake the vehicle. The inability to access the vehicle was unexpected and alarming. Children, pets, elderly, and others could have been inside of the vehicle. Thankfully, they were not. Tesla inspected the vehicle and stated the failure was related to the battery coolant heater. The failure resulted in a complete vehicle immobilization and access failure. I had previously experienced restart warnings on the dashboard, but I did not expect a total lockout and loss of access. The inability to access the vehicle was unexpected and alarming. It may be a known safety issue. It should be recalled. This condition presents a serious safety risk because occupants could be trapped inside the vehicle and the vehicle cannot be accessed or moved without external power. In extreme heat or cold, or in a medical or emergency situation involving a child or pet, this failure mode could create a life-threatening situation. Importantly, even after multiple requests, I have not received a copy of the diagnostic report, or anything other than informal emails or calls. Tesla has not provided information regarding this failure other than broad statements, and visuals of the location of the battery pack, in an attempt to deny warranty coverage. The Tesla reports a High Voltage System alert currently. The vehicle is subject to Tesla’s Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty. Tesla has stated that the failed component was the battery coolant heater, but has refused to cover the repair under warranty. Tesla confirmed the failure but has not provided the diagnostic report, fault codes, or vehicle logs supporting its determination.

Filed Dec 12, 2025 · Fuel system · CA

Car lost power on the highway suddenly and would not start after and we pulled over on the side of the highway. Took a picture of all the alerts. Heard a loud thunk noise when the car lost power, did not hit anything in the road. Event: 2:21pm March 31,2024. Was needed to be towed to service center. BMS u008 error displayed on screen among others. No alerts until the immediate loss of power. _ _ limpMode Acceleration and top speed reduced Performance may be restored on next drive After the Tesla service center ran diagnostics they discovered that the HV battery failed and needed to be replaced. This put my entire family (wife and two children) at risk to a major accident either due to the sudden deceleration of the vehicle and being rear ended by another vehicle on the highway (I was traveling at highway speeds when the failure occured).

Filed Dec 12, 2025 · Fuel system · CA

Car lost power on the highway suddenly while driving at highway speeds and would not start after we pulled over off the highway. Took a picture of all the alerts. This is the second catastrophic event with this vehicle due to the HV battery. Event: 11:32am November 27,2025. Was needed to be towed to service center. BMS u008 error displayed on screen among others. No alerts until the immediate loss of power. After the Tesla service center ran diagnostics they discovered that the HV battery failed and needed to be replaced. This put my entire family (wife and two children) at risk to a major accident again due to the sudden deceleration of the vehicle and being rear ended by another vehicle on the highway (I was traveling at highway speeds when the failure occurred) or being unable to stop suddenly as the braking system was not effective / difficult to press the brake pedal. I used my Meta Ray Ban Smart Glasses to take a photo hands free using a voice command to capture my speed and the error that displayed when I lost power on the highway and the amount of traffic around me.

Filed Nov 30, 2025 · Body, Electrical · NY

The vehicle presents a compounded safety defect creating a risk of passenger entrapment and high-voltage fire. 1. High Voltage Manufacturing Defect: On September 3, 2024, authorized Tesla Service technicians diagnosed a critical safety fault. The service record states technicians 'found A/C compressor HV harness was incorrectly routed, rubbing against the steering column' and 'found sand inside the connector'. Tesla repaired this defects under the 'Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty,' confirming it was a factory assembly error. This defect created an imminent risk of a high-voltage short to the steering column, which could result in driver electrocution or total vehicle power loss at speed. 2. Passenger Entrapment: The vehicle has a documented history of Rear Falcon Wing Door failure (7 repair attempts from April 2023 to May 2025). The doors frequently fail to latch or open. On July 8, 2025, the Left Rear Door failed to open due to a sensor fault. 3. Combined Hazard: If the incorrectly routed High Voltage harness causes a vehicle power failure, the rear doors' electronic latches will fail. Because the doors have a history of mechanical jamming, passengers in the rear seats would be trapped in a vehicle with a compromised High Voltage system.