Tesla, Inc.: Steering › Electric Power Assist System
Tesla, Inc. reported this defect to federal regulators on Mar 29, 2018 and put the number of vehicles at risk at 70,421. The repair is free for as long as the recall stands.
The defect
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Tesla Model S vehicles equipped with Bosch steering racks. The aluminum bolts that attach the power steering gear assist motor to the gear housing may corrode and fracture causing a reduction or complete loss of power steering assist.
The risk
Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will replace the steering gear mounting bolts and add a corrosion-preventative sealer, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-18-32-002.
5 model years covered
Newest first| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Fires | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Tesla Model S | 650 | 10 | 12 | 92 |
| 2015 Tesla Model S | 669 | 9 | 12 | 70 |
| 2014 Tesla Model S | 367 | 9 | 9 | 52 |
| 2013 Tesla Model S | 461 | 11 | 19 | 41 |
| 2012 Tesla Model S | 61 | 8 | 1 | 4 |
What this page is, and what to do next
A recall is not an opinion. It is a Part 573 report a manufacturer is required by federal law to file once it decides a defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety, and it commits them to repairing the vehicle at no cost to the owner. The three passages above are the manufacturer’s own wording as published by NHTSA.
This page describes the campaign. It cannot tell you whether one particular car has already been through the shop — that is tracked by VIN, and only the manufacturer knows it. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a franchised dealer, quoting campaign number 18V204000.
Full record for the 2016 Tesla Model S → · Recalls carrying a do-not-drive advisory → · Where this data comes from →