2017 Tesla Model X Steering Problems

My 2017 Tesla Model X (VIN: [XXX] ) is experiencing stiff and binding steering caused by corrosion at the lower steering column I-shaft universal joint. The steering intermittently binds and resists normal turning force, which has caused Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system to disengage due to abnormal steering resistance — a direct safety concern. Tesla’s own Service Bulletin SB-20-32-004 documents this exact condition — I-shaft U-joint corrosion causing stiff steering — on Model S and Model X vehicles. The bulletin covers 2015–2020 model years. However, Tesla service center stated that my VIN is not classified under this bulletin and that the $500 repair is an out-of-pocket expense not covered under warranty or goodwill. The issue has not yet been repaired. I am currently operating a vehicle with a known steering defect that Tesla has documented in its own service bulletin but has declined to cover for my specific VIN, despite my vehicle exhibiting the identical failure. I am requesting NHTSA investigate whether the VIN classification for SB-20-32-004 is appropriately capturing all affected vehicles, and whether this issue warrants escalation to a formal safety recall — particularly given the impact on automated driving system performance. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11738097

Incident

Mar 17, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to control and was pulling to one side, almost causing a crash with another vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but it was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer test drove the vehicle and the failure reoccurred, and the dealer deemed the vehicle unsafe to drive. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred shortly after the stabilizer arm and toe link were repaired. The contact also stated that a mobile message indicated that the I-shaft had failed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,340.

NHTSA ID

11731679

Incident

Apr 16, 2026

Mileage

55,340 mi

Repeat catastrophic steering failure on 2017 Model X (VIN [XXX] ). Steering wheel spins freely with zero connection to the wheels (complete mechanical disconnect). This is the third steering-system repair in under 12 months. • April 8, 2025: Lower intermediate shaft replaced (still inside 12-month parts warranty). Invoice does NOT list ‘shielded’ or part 1027851-00-A. • Current failure now requires full steering rack (1070801-00-F) + module + severed cable. Current estimate DOES list shielded I-shaft (1027851-00-A). Tesla claims the April repair used the ‘most updated’ part and that TSB SB-20-32-004 did not apply to my VIN. This contradicts the invoices and the TSB itself (which covers 2015–2020 Model X). Tesla previously admitted they cannot rule out a connection to the prior repair and that this severity is something they have "never seen." Safety risk: Could have occurred on highway with loss of vehicle control. Tesla has denied goodwill. Attached: All invoices, estimates. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11730732

Incident

Mar 27, 2026

I experienced a total steering lockup and loss of vehicle control immediately following a steering column and suspension repair at a certified Tesla service center at [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11726879

Incident

Mar 20, 2026

The electronic power steering (EPS) is struggling, requiring increased driver effort to steer. This seems to be dangerous when driving. The Full Self Driving (FSD) capability also stops abruptly when the steering locks up. Again, this is very risky and can cause serious accidents. I see that several owners have posted on social media about this same issue. Note, that there were recalls issued related to corroded steering bolts for Tesla Model X built up till November 2016. My car is built in 2017.

NHTSA ID

11708780

Incident

Dec 13, 2025

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

NHTSA ID

11697950

Incident

Oct 17, 2025

The Monitor Screen in the middle of the car is not malfunction. It's not working. All the panels on the steering are also not work. the honk is not working. Nothing is working. It could be due to the internet connection.

NHTSA ID

11667439

Incident

Jun 17, 2025

I own a Tesla Model X, and for the past two summers I’ve experienced a repeating safety-critical issue during hot weather. After driving for a period in the heat, multiple systems begin to fail. The car displays numerous warnings including: •“Parking brake requires service” •“Traction control disabled” •“Stability control disabled” •“Steering assist reduced” •“Automatic Emergency Braking unavailable” •“Regenerative braking unavailable” •“Lane Departure Avoidance unavailable” When this happens, the steering wheel becomes very stiff and hard to turn, which severely affects my ability to drive and control the vehicle. I’ve brought the vehicle to Tesla service twice. The first time (when it was still under warranty), they said they couldn’t replicate the issue. The second time, I brought it in while the warnings were still active. Tesla only cleaned some sensors and returned the car, but the issue returned again recently with all the same symptoms. This only happens in hot weather. Once the car cools down, the errors disappear. This intermittent issue is difficult for the service center to replicate, but it presents a serious safety risk, especially because steering and braking functions are compromised. I believe this is a deeper electrical or software issue affecting multiple safety systems under thermal stress. The issue has not been resolved, and the vehicle remains dangerous to drive in high temperatures.

NHTSA ID

11660199

Incident

May 10, 2025

The power steering failed sporadically and it could return to normal state after power off/reset or the errors could be latch on for days. When the power steering reduced errors message occur, the steering wheel is too heavy for any turn, we lost steering and went over to the opposite lanes (fortunately there was no on coming traffic). The car needed a tow to the service centre.

NHTSA ID

11650232

Incident

Mar 18, 2025

When I started my car this morning it was very hard to return the wheel to center after full turns. The wheel is sticking in turn position and requires a lot of muscle to turn. It is unsafe to drive and power steering didn’t return after reboot.

NHTSA ID

11608857

Incident

Aug 15, 2024

Tesla has failed to update the software on the car as per the recall notice. Tesla is requesting me to pay 2500$ to upgrade the hardware so they can update the recall hardware. I had reached out to Tesla more than three different times and been waiting for more than 4 months for Tesla to provide the resolution for recall which Tesla has failed to provide as yet t no cost. This is a major safely concerns and due to this I am afraid to drive this car.

NHTSA ID

11590591

Incident

May 9, 2024

This year Tesla has a known "acceleration shutter" due to the front CV joints' angle being too sharp causing premature wear. I have been dealing with this issue since the vehicle was new. Tesla has replaced my CV joints 5-7 times and during the repairs they have left bolts out of the vehicle, left bolts loose and damaged the front drive unit so much by bad repair jobs they have had to replace the front drive unit twice. In the most recent episode, the motor mount has cracked and was making a loud banging noise under acceleration and declaration. Most concerning is the fact I found some brake lines not in their keepers and they were rubbing on this mount. (I have photos). I have had my vehicle at 3 different Tesla service centers and at least two are inadequate. My concern, especially with the loose and missing bolts, is the sense of bad workmanship which could lead to a real problem in the future. I have, myself, fixed the brake line issue and tightened the motor mount bolt and the car is fine but don't know what else is not done properly, so I will be asking a service center (over , 100 miles away) to please check to make sure there isn't anything else loose due to the front drive unit being replaced. I also have another bad half shaft which was replaced about 10,000 miles ago back in October of 23'. I have pictures of all this nonsense if you are interested. But again, my concern is what if they leave something important loose that can kill someone. I've had many episodes of shoddy workmanship from two different service centers. Hundreds of miles apart. It appears to be either a training or culture issue. The jury is still out on the 3d service center, but it's not looking good at the moment.

NHTSA ID

11589795

Incident

May 18, 2024

The universal joint is stiff and turning vehicle is more difficult than normal

NHTSA ID

11584619

Incident

Mar 15, 2024

The steering as getting harder and harder to turn. I checked the steering rack and it was clean but the U joint had completely rusted. I lubricated it and the steering improved. After around a year, it happened again and I repeated it. They have an upgraded replacement part but are not recalling the defective original. Can you help?

NHTSA ID

11584591

Incident

Apr 1, 2022

The steering has squeaking noise and cause the car every hard to turn. when trying to turning the car, the steering wheel will cause the car go another direction. This issue seems on tesla forums. I replaced control arms in august 2022 and I replaced again in April 2024.

NHTSA ID

11582192

Incident

Mar 29, 2024

Power steering issue

NHTSA ID

11577877

Incident

Mar 14, 2024

My steering feels as though it suddenly loses power steering for some portions of wheel turn. It was really dangerous when my wife was driving, since she had a really hard time turning the steering wheel. She called me and I drove it home and eventually determined the issue. The U Joint that is part of the steering mechanism open to the elements and has collected gunk and rusted. Tesla has re-engineered this part to be protected, presumably due to this issue. The suddenness in which this occurred is what makes this dangerous. One day the steering worked perfectly fine and the next it was very challenging to steer.

NHTSA ID

11577800

Incident

Mar 1, 2024

This part was recalled on older tesla model x. This seems to be an issue on my 2017 model as well and should be part of an extended model year recall. The Lower Steering Column I-Shaft is corroded resulting in extremely difficult to steer which could result in a severe accident and fatalities. This was recognized in a previous recall of older model years and this recall should be extended to newer model years. SB-20-32-004 Page 1 of 3 _ Tesla, Inc. Service Bulletin Inspect Lower Steering Column I-Shaft Operation SB-20-32-004 June 17, 2020 Classification Section/Group Mobile Service Repair Bulletin 32 - Steering Model S RWD only Model Year Model Country/Region Version 2015 - 2020 Model S, Model X North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa All The model(s) and model year(s) listed are a general approximation of the affected VIN list. Refer to the VIN/Bulletin Tracker or Customer/Vehicle profile to determine applicability of this bulletin for a particular vehicle. Repair Bulletin: This repair bulletin provides instructions on addressing a noted condition or possible customer concern regarding the operation of Tesla vehicles. These instructions should only be performed by trained professionals. Condition Some Model S and Model X vehicles might exhibit stiff steering due to corrosion at the lower steering column I-shaft U-joint. Model X Steering Assist Motor Bolt Recall Tesla has decided to proactively retrofit a power steering component in some Model X vehicles. This voluntary recall applies to most Model X vehicles built before mid-October 2016.

NHTSA ID

11575638

Incident

Mar 4, 2024

This is regarding two Tesla recalls: - NHTSA Recall Number: 23V-838; TC2023-657 - NHTSA Recall Number: 24V-051 As noted in both recalls, they are to be delivered via software updates. My car is currently running version 2022.8.10.16 7477b4ff8e78 which is clearly lower than the version required for both recalls. I have taken my car to service as my software version is not updating. Tesla has refused to comply with the recall and update the software version on my car. It should be noted, although irrelevant for the recalls, that my car is still under manufacturer's extended warranty, which we purchased along with the car when buying it new from Tesla.

NHTSA ID

11572435

Incident

Feb 16, 2024

Front Suspension Lower Fore Links, yes it is available for inspection. The incident occur while driving the vehicle; which is ground for significant safety risk. The vehicle is in the process of getting towed. Vehicle has not yet been inspected. No warning signs, the vehicle just came out of Tesla Service Center.

NHTSA ID

11571796

Incident

Feb 13, 2024

The steering wheel was dysfunctional; the wheel was locked in the middle of the highway, and the car started to change lanes, causing a massive accident. There was a significant accident between my car and a truck; both cars were totaled. My airbags didn't open as well. I got a massive concussion, and I do not know about the condition of the other driver. There was a recall about the steering wheel, and we brought our car to the dealership, and supposedly they fixed the issue. There was no warning or message before the accident. The message appeared on my Tesla screen for the first time less than a few minutes before the accident.

NHTSA ID

11553596

Incident

Oct 27, 2023

Control arm and both front struts failed

NHTSA ID

11526087

Incident

Jun 1, 2022

The intermediate shaft - steering column is a design defect on these cars. A service bulletin has been issued (https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10177030-9999.pdf) but that is insufficient. This is a critical safety issue which could lead the driver to lose control of the vehicle. It felt like losing power steering and it required a lot of force to maintain steering control. Other owners have experienced this issue and posted their experience here: https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/steering-u-joint-lower-shaft-issue-and-my-solution-so-far.212604/. Tesla has since redesigned this part with a CV boot to prevent corrosion and degradation of this critical joint. It is clear that the original design was flawed and all should be replaced immediately.

NHTSA ID

11524760

Incident

May 26, 2023

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to make a left or right turn, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that the steering wheel intermittently performed as designed while driving straight. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 31,881.

NHTSA ID

11510371

Incident

Mar 6, 2023

Mileage

31,881 mi

When exiting an on-ramp on a freeway, the car suddenly veered to the left on its own, almost colliding into another vehicle. There was no dangerous activity nor any stopped cars anywhere around the car.

NHTSA ID

11499972

Incident

Jan 3, 2023