2020 Tesla Model X Steering Problems

Making a loud squeaky noise and knocking while I turn. The noise is coming from the steering and front suspension arms I believe.

NHTSA ID

11713009

Incident

Jan 1, 2026

My 2020 Tesla Model X experiences severe vibration, shaking, and rattling during acceleration, especially between about 20–45 mph and at higher suspension settings. The vibration is strong enough to affect steering stability and safe control of the vehicle during acceleration and lane changes. Tesla has already replaced the front half-shafts twice under warranty for this same problem, but the issue has returned again. This is a known defect documented by Tesla in Service Bulletin SB-21-39-001, which describes excessive front drive unit half-shaft vibration during acceleration and defines the repair with updated components. The latest revision of this bulletin (R3, dated January 19, 2024) explicitly adds “Customer Pay billing” instructions. Despite this, my local Tesla Service Center in Tempe, AZ (Supervisor: Lewis Holguin) refused to apply the SB-21-39-001 Customer Pay billing and instead charged full retail for the repair. On 11/28/2025, I was billed $1,694.86 out of pocket to replace both front half-shafts again (invoice shows approx. $1,046 in parts and $564 in labor). I have documentation showing that other Tesla customers with the same defect were billed only $350 under SB-21-39-001, which demonstrates that Tesla does apply a discounted bulletin rate in some cases. In my case, they refused to honor it even though this is a repeat failure of the same known defect and the prior warranty repairs did not permanently fix the problem. This is a repeat driveline/suspension defect that affects drivability and safety under acceleration. The shaking and vibration make it difficult to maintain stable vehicle control, especially during highway merging or lane changes. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate recurring front half-shaft failures and vibration/shudder issues on Tesla Model X vehicles and Tesla’s inconsistent handling of this known defect and service bulletin.

NHTSA ID

11701961

Incident

Nov 23, 2025

This is a major safety issue --- we got an error that steering assistance was "reduced" for about 12 hours. Then on [XXX] at around [XXX], we were pulling out of a parked area (after being parked for 2 hours) -- and proceeded to increase speed on [XXX] in Newark, the car steering wheel abruptly LOCKED ITSELF - you couldn't even move the steering wheel. It just locked and shut down completely. We proceeded to do a rest (hitting two scroll buttons) to reset the system over 5-6 times. Each time it takes about 10 mins to complete. It was pure HORROR - sitting on the road with cars just passing by and honking at me behind. I had the hazard lights on, but it was a dangerous situation. I was completely STUCK and immobile. After some time, the steering wheel "magically" started working again. We've dropped the Tesla off at Springfield and they are charging us over $6,000 in damages for this. This is a SAFETY issue (we bought the car in March of 2024) and it's only been 15 months since we've had this used car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11666287

Incident

Jun 9, 2025

Steering assist reduced. It has been faulty for the past six months and auto pilot doesn’t work. Not repaired as the cost of repair is 5K.

NHTSA ID

11658020

Incident

Nov 12, 2024

Tesla updated my vehicle with FSD 12.5.2.1 and it is dangerous and should be recalled. The software is too much for my vehicles processor, it frequently freezes for as long as 10 seconds. This loses my speedometer, my signal information, and happened while merging and nearly caused me an accident. The lane keep assist has retrograded significantly, it often goes outside of the painted lines and is in danger of hitting curbs. The processor feels like it struggles to keep up, and the auto steer is unsettled and jerky as it changes its mind. Previous software worked great, Tesla is pushing the software beyond the hardwares capabilities and it’s going to cause accidents. Please stop them.

NHTSA ID

11615386

Incident

Sep 19, 2024

ON [XXX], while driving my second Tesla Model X on [XXX] from Carson City back to Reno at the speed of 79 mph on Autopilot, the same sudden loud alarming situation occurred, with 1. park Assist unavailable 2. Steering assist reduced 3. Adaptive ride control degraded 4. Traction control disabled 5. Stability control disabled 6. Lane departure avoidance features unavailable 7. Automatic emergency Braking is unavailable 8. Automatic vehicle hold disabled. I drove to s stop, the car can't park but remained in neutral gear. Can't hard reset. With my prior experience 1 month ago, I changed it into Tow mode several times, finally was able to switch into Park mode then was able to do a hard reset. When I brought in to Tesla, they said it's the SAME problem, steering rack issue. Another $5300 is gone. How can I be so unlucky to be hit with same model, different year, same problem, same driving condition and almost same place on earth, and both out of warranty and I have to pay in full? There must be manufacture defect on this!!!!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11579415

Incident

Mar 21, 2024

I have a 2020 Model X (23k miles) and the warranty just expired 2 months ago. It suddenly developed a loud creaking in the front end. The creaking seems to be related to the movement of the suspension, but I also notice it when I turn either direction. It’s not related to braking except to the extent that the suspension is compressed slightly with braking. From research it may be the control arms and front sway bar. Apparently this is a very common issue with the Model X per Online forums. Absolutely no reason why any of those parts should be failing for everyone unless it was faulty parts/engineering. This should definitely be investigated.

NHTSA ID

11577239

Incident

Mar 12, 2024

There were two issues that occurred within months of each other: 1) Power steering failed on several occasions– immediately following a service appointment in which the CV joint/half shafts were replaced and an alignment performed. Tesla implied that the intermediate shaft failed in pure coincidence; this is not the case: intermediate steering shaft failure after 40,000 miles with no warning and no impact is very highly unlikely. 2) suspension and steering components began to fail (Front Aft Suspension Link, as diagnosed by Tesla), causing excessive noise and wear on other vehicle components. Tesla was aware of the manufacturing defect prior to failure, but refused to cover the repairs under the warranty. Both issues caused difficulty steering and distractions while driving at both high and low speeds; losing power steering on the highway can be deadly. No warning signs appeared prior to the component failure in either instance, and "driver abuse" did not occur– though Tesla implies that with every concern. The car is set to the slowest acceleration and gentlest handling settings possible to maintain the longevity of the car's components. Independent mechanics not affiliated with Tesla Motors inspected the car and agreed that the failures were abnormal and not to be expected at such a low milage. The issues that began early into the warranty period were sudddenly no longer addressed once the warranty expired: a clear violation of the MMWA of 1975.

NHTSA ID

11571675

Incident

Dec 19, 2019

We have taken the vehicle to Tesla service center multiple times (3 or 4) for the passenger side suspension creaking. Fore and aft links replaced as well as upper control arms. Car continues to make noise and service center stating they cannot duplicate the problem - this is happening to multiple model x.

NHTSA ID

11570558

Incident

Aug 6, 2021

"On August 18, 2023, I was driving at 70 mph on I-95 near the 100-mile mark using Full Self-Drive. The front driver-side suspension housing cracked, causing the bottom part of the suspension to detach. This led to the front tire striking the upper part of the wheel, resulting in a tire blowout. A piece of metal from the suspension fell onto the road and hit the rear driver-side tire, causing it to also blow out. The vehicle lost control and came to a stop on the left side of the road."

NHTSA ID

11556906

Incident

Aug 18, 2023

There is a known issue where the ball joints in the steering column wear out prematurely (on all Tesla models) and, if not fixed, can damage the steering column. Example: https://www.reddit.com/r/TeslaModel3/comments/vwrct4/does_anyone_know_why_im_getting_a_very_loud/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=4 If you just Google “Tesla steering wheel squeak,” you’ll come up with plenty of articles about it. Tesla has a tendency to hide or misrepresent ongoing problems, and use its customers as test pilots. Enough is enough!

NHTSA ID

11514062

Incident

Mar 12, 2023

Tesla model X is infamous for its acceleration shudder. they have replaced the drive shafts twice already. when you accelerate the wheel vibrates only between 15-35 mph. When you brake hard it does the same thing.

NHTSA ID

11481860

Incident

Aug 29, 2022

Coolant leak in less then 5 months. Had this same problem in November 2021. Tesla replaced Value no.3. In April 2022 Tesla replaced Value no. 3&4. Very concerned since my warranty is running out soon.

NHTSA ID

11462392

Incident

Apr 17, 2022

I saw a warning light briefly about the suspension then the car started making very large squeals is sounds like metal on metal in the steering underneath me as the driver and the front end - looked at the suspension pictures and not seeing anything with the ride on the computer screen. I have 62,000 mikes on my car - owned it for a little more than 14 months - drive a lot as a real estate broker

NHTSA ID

11444357

Incident

Dec 15, 2021

We received the Full Self-Driving Beta software from Tesla this week. How NHTSA has permitted Tesla to enable this software for use on public streets is mind-blowing. IT IS THAT DANGEROUS! Do the public a favor and go drive a Tesla with FSD enabled. You can read my full comments on our blog: https://nerdvittles.com/the-10000-hoax-meet-teslas-full-self-driving-vehicle/

NHTSA ID

11442506

Incident

Dec 1, 2021

I WAS DRIVING MY MODEL X (JUNE 2020) HOME LAST EVENING ON A ROAD I NORMALLY DRIVE. (6 LANE ROAD) I WAS APPROACH A TRAFFIC LIGHT THAT TURNED YELLOW AND I DETERMINED I DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO STOP - SO I HIT THE ACCELERATOR TO GET THROUGH THE LIGHT BEFORE IT TURNED RED AND THEN EVERYTHING ON THE CAR STOPPED WORKING. NO ALARMS, NO SOUNDS, NO WARNINGS, NOTHING - MUSIC EVEN STOPPED PLAYING. THE ONLY INDICATION SOMETHING WAS WRONG WAS THE DASHBOARD FLASHING YELLOW LIGHT INDICATOR THAT THE CAR THOUGHT IT WAS SLIPPING (COMPLETE DRY @ 5:50PM -- TEMPERATURE WAS 45 DEGREES). THE CAR WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE (I HIT THE ACCELERATION PEDAL AND NOTHING HAPPENED), REGENERATIVE BRAKING STOPPED WORKING AND THE CAR WAS ONLY COASTING AND QUICKLY SLOWING DOWN (IT IS A HEAVY CAR). I MANAGED TO GET IT INTO A NEARBY PARKING LOT AND CALLED TESLA ROADSIDE. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AFTER REBOOTING 2+ TIMES AND WHEN IT FINALLY MANAGED TO BEGIN TO MOVE THE CAR BEHAVED LIKE IT THOUGHT IT WAS "SLIPPING". NO ALARMS SHOWED UP UNTIL I WAS INSTRUCTED TO REBOOT BY TESLA EMERGENCY ROADSIDE - AT WHICH POINT THEY RECOMMENDED I BRING THE CAR TO SERVICE.

NHTSA ID

11394404

Incident

Feb 2, 2021

Mileage

11,840 mi

HERE IS A 2020 TESLA MODEL X IN THE JUNKYARD HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/37336502?ROWNUMBER=125 THE FRONT WHEEL HAS GONE ALL WHOMPY BECAUSE THE TOP BALL-JOINT HAS POPPED APART. THIS CAR HAS ONLY TRAVELLED 4000 MILES SINCE BEING PUSHED OUT OF THE TESLA TENT. IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THE BALL HAS SUFFERED ENOUGH WEAR AND TEAR TO ALLOW IT TO POP APART. IT IS MORE LIKELY THAT THE BALL-JOINT WAS MADE BY STONED MONKEYS AT THE LOCAL ZOO. WOULD IT BE TOO MUCH OF AN ASK FOR YOU TO TAKE THESE WRETCHED JUNK-HEAPS OFF THE HIGHWAYS? HAVE AN EXCITING DAY. REGARDS KEEF

NHTSA ID

11366249

Incident

Sep 1, 2020

Mileage

4,000 mi

I'VE CREATED SEVERAL BUG REPORTS FOR THE AUTOPILOT SYSTEM WHICH IS, A VERY REAL DANGER. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES TOWARDS PARKED OR STOPPED CARS, SLAMS ON THE BRAKES WITHOUT EXPLANATION ON THE FREEWAY, BEGINS TO CHANGE LANES ON THE FREEWAY THEN VIOLENTLY SWERVES BACK INTO THE ORIGINAL LANE WITHOUT EXPLANATION. I'VE TAKEN THE VEHICLE INTO 3 DIFFERENT SERVICE CENTERS. THE EXPLANATION IS "SOFTWARE" AND THEY RECOMMEND "UPDATING THE SOFTWARE" WHEN NEW VERSIONS COME OUT. THE VERSION OF SOFTWARE RELEASED ARE NOT READY TO BE RELEASED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. AS A PILOT, I UNDERSTAND HOW AUTOPILOT SYSTEMS SHOULD BEHAVIOR. THE TESLA AUTOPILOT BEHAVES SO DANGEROUSLY IT DOESN'T APPEAR THE SOFTWARE ENGINEERS EVEN BOTHERED TO TEST IT BEFORE RELEASE.

NHTSA ID

11363208

Incident

Oct 5, 2020

Mileage

6,000 mi