The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced that Tesla is recalling 376,241 vehicles in the US due to concerns over a potential loss of power steering assist. This issue affects certain model year 2023 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles.
The Issue
The affected vehicles may experience a loss of power steering assist when the vehicle comes to a stop and accelerates again. This could lead to increased steering effort, particularly at low speeds, and may result in a higher risk of a crash.
Resolution
To address the issue, Tesla has released an over-the-air software update. Although the company is not aware of any collisions, injuries, or fatalities related to the issue, it has identified over 3,000 warranty claims that may be connected to the problem.
Background
The recall follows an investigation by the NHTSA into complaints of loss of steering control in model year 2023 vehicles. The complaints reported an inability to turn the steering wheel or an increase in effort required to turn the wheel, with most incidents occurring at speeds between 5 mph and 35 mph. The regulator noted that over 50 vehicles were allegedly towed due to this condition.
Recent Recalls
This is not the first recall issued by Tesla in recent months. In January, the company recalled 239,382 vehicles in the US over concerns of a loss of rearview camera image, which was also fixed via an over-the-air software update. In 2024, Tesla issued 15 recalls, impacting over 5.13 million vehicles, with the majority of issues resolved through software updates rather than physical recalls.
Key Points
- 376,241 Tesla vehicles are being recalled in the US
- The recall affects certain model year 2023 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles
- The issue is related to a potential loss of power steering assist
- Tesla has released an over-the-air software update to resolve the issue
- The company is not aware of any collisions, injuries, or fatalities related to the issue, but has identified over 3,000 potentially related warranty claims.