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Tesla Steering Recalls Address Assist Loss and Other Control Risks
Loss of power steering assist repeats in this Tesla group, with different conditions in each notice. Certain 2017-2021 Model S and Model X vehicles may lose assist on rough roads or after hitting a pothole. Certain 2023 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles running software before 2023.38.4 may lose assist after stopping and accelerating again because of a circuit-board overstress condition. Model S and Model X also appear in the 2021-2024 replacement steering-wheel or yoke airbag notice. The FSD Beta notice spans certain 2016-2023 Model S and Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles with the software or pending installation.
Warning signs to watch for
- Model S and X Can Lose Power Steering (SB-22-00-014): loss of assist on rough roads or after hitting a pothole can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds.
- Full Self-Driving Beta intersection recall (SB-23-00-001): the vehicle may travel straight from a turn-only lane, enter a stop-sign intersection without a complete stop, or exceed speed limits.
- Model 3 Power Steering Assist May Fail (SB-25-00-004): assist may be lost after stopping and accelerating again, requiring greater steering effort, especially at low speeds.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
None of these four notices carries a stop-driving or park-outside instruction. The Model S/X and 2023 Model 3/Model Y power steering notices describe increased crash risk from greater steering effort after assist loss. The FSD Beta notice describes crash risks involving speed limits and intersection behavior. The replacement steering-yoke or wheel airbag notice describes increased injury risk from incorrect deployment. For each of these recalls, the notice does not tell owners to stop driving, and no separate interim driving instruction is supplied.
What the free repair involves
For SB-22-00-014, Tesla released a free OTA update recalibrating EPAS. SB-23-00-001 specifies a free OTA FSD Beta update. Under SB-23-20-005, Tesla Service inspects and replaces the driver airbag as necessary, free of charge. For the 2023 Model 3/Model Y assist-loss recall, SB-25-00-004, Tesla released a free OTA update.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| high | 3 |
| medium | 1 |
Models affected most
Where owners report steering problems most
NHTSA owner complaints filed under steering for the Tesla models and years in this guide. Complaints are unverified reports and are not limited to the recalled defects.
| Vehicle | Steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2023 Tesla Model 3 | 90 |
| 2020 Tesla Model 3 | 45 |
| 2022 Tesla Model 3 | 36 |
| 2021 Tesla Model S | 29 |
| 2020 Tesla Model Y | 26 |
| 2021 Tesla Model 3 | 26 |
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 14, 2025 | Tesla Model 3 Power Steering Assist May Fail | medium |
| Nov 3, 2023 | Tesla Model S/X May Have Wrong Airbag Installed | high |
| Feb 15, 2023 | Tesla Full Self-Driving Beta may act unsafely at intersections | high |
| Nov 1, 2022 | Tesla Model S and X Can Lose Power Steering | high |
Common questions
Which Tesla steering recall mentions potholes and rough roads?
SB-22-00-014 covers certain 2017-2021 Model S and Model X vehicles. It describes loss of electronic power steering assist on rough roads or after hitting a pothole. Tesla released a free OTA update to recalibrate the EPAS system.
What causes the 2023 Model 3 and Model Y steering-assist problem?
SB-25-00-004 describes an overstress condition affecting the electronic power steering assist circuit board. Certain 2023 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles running software before 2023.38.4 may lose assist after stopping and accelerating again. Tesla released a free OTA update.
Why does a steering-wheel replacement appear in an airbag recall?
The notice covers certain 2021-2024 Model S and Model X vehicles where an incorrect airbag may have been installed when changing steering-yoke or wheel style. Tesla Service inspects and replaces the driver airbag as necessary, free of charge.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.