Tesla Model X power steering loss 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 Aug 19, 2026 · Steering · NC

The power steering fails very often making it hard to turn and happens when I’m on the highway going 60+ mph which is very dangerous and a threat to my safety. The only way to fix it in those moments is to pull over turn the car off which consists of me getting out of my vehicle and waiting two minutes. But usually when it happens once that day it occurs all day even if I reset the car and try all the other troubleshooting options which make it very difficult to rely on the car for safety. It happened only once every few months but now it happens almost every other time I drive my car. This is not a normal wear and tear issue as I’ve had cars before with over 50k miles and not once have I had a power steering failure on those cars which are older and have more mileage.

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 Mar 16, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · CA

The electric power assist steering system on my 2022 Tesla Model X began displaying a "Steering Assist Reduced / Steering May Require Increased Effort" warning intermittently beginning in approximately May 2024, shortly after I purchased the vehicle. This warning appeared more times than I can count over the following months. In most instances the warning appeared but the steering continued to function normally. On approximately March 2, 2026, the warning appeared and for the first time the steering became extremely difficult to turn, requiring significantly increased physical effort to control the vehicle. The first physical failure occurred while parking at low speed in reverse. The steering failure also occurred subsequently while driving at highway speeds. In both instances I stopped the vehicle, exited, waited briefly, and upon re-entering the vehicle the warning cleared and steering returned to normal. This same sequence repeated the following day. The vehicle was brought to a Tesla authorized service center on March 13, 2026. Tesla's technician confirmed the steering assist reduction as reported and determined the steering gear required full replacement. The failed part, steering gear left hand drive part number 1070801-00-F, was replaced. Only full hardware replacement resolved the issue permanently. Prior power cycling provided only temporary relief. My safety was directly at risk. I am a full-time rideshare driver operating at highway speeds. The failed component has been replaced and is in Tesla's possession. Tesla is charging the full repair cost out of pocket despite this matching a documented pattern of identical failures reported to the federal safety agency by multiple Tesla owners.

Filed Feb 12, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · CO

While driving my 2022 Tesla Model X at highway speed, I experienced a sudden loss of steering assist shortly after Supercharging. The steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn, and I had to use significant force to maintain control. The vehicle displayed a ‘Steering Assist Reduced’ alert, FSD became unavailable, and the suspension behaved unexpectedly. After the incident, the vehicle was taken to Tesla service. At this time, I have not received a clear explanation of the root cause of the steering‑assist loss. Because this event occurred at highway speed and created a safety concern, I am submitting this report so the incident can be documented and reviewed.

Filed Jan 30, 2026 · Acceleration, Brakes · CA

I am writing to formally document a life-threatening mechanical failure involving my 2022 Model X on January 30, 2026. While my wife was operating the vehicle, it suffered a simultaneous and catastrophic collapse of all primary safety systems. During operation, the vehicle experienced a total loss of steering and braking control. This was accompanied by a rapid cascade of critical system alerts on the primary display, including “ABS Malfunction,” “Stability Control Disabled,” and “Steering Assist Reduced/Disabled.” Most critically, the vehicle exhibited Sudden Unintended Acceleration (SUA), increasing speed in direct opposition to the driver’s physical application of the brake pedal. This resulted in a near-miss where the driver narrowly avoided a construction crew.

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 Nov 6, 2025 · Driver assistance, Steering · MA

Power Steering Assist stopped working while on the road. A couple days later, power steering stopped working completely.

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.