Tesla Recalls 380,000 Vehicles in the U.S. Over Power Steering Assist Issue

Tesla is recalling nearly 380,000 vehicles in the United States due to a power steering assist failure that could make steering more difficult, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of accidents.

The recall comes after a lengthy investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which began over a year ago following multiple reports from Tesla owners experiencing steering failures. Some drivers claimed they were unable to turn the wheel, while others noted that steering required significantly more effort. NHTSA previously reported that over 50 vehicles had to be towed due to the issue.

According to Tesla’s filing with NHTSA, the problem affects certain 2023 Model 3 sedans and Model Y crossovers running older software. The company explained that an overvoltage breakdown could overstress motor drive components on the printed circuit board, potentially leading to a loss of power steering assist.

Tesla stated that if the issue occurs while driving, the vehicle’s steering remains functional, with a visual alert notifying the driver. However, once the vehicle comes to a stop, the power steering assist may shut down and remain disabled upon restarting.

As of January 10, Tesla has recorded 3,012 warranty claims related to this issue but has not reported any crashes or fatalities linked to the defect. The company has addressed the problem by rolling out an over-the-air software update.

This marks Tesla’s second major recall of the year, following a January recall of approximately 239,000 vehicles due to faulty rear-view cameras.

Tesla’s stock showed slight declines in premarket U.S. trading, continuing its downward trend after a strong performance in 2024.