Tesla has initiated a significant recall affecting nearly 380,000 vehicles within the United States, addressing a critical issue involving the power steering assist system. This recall specifically targets 2023 Model 3 sedans and Model Y crossovers equipped with older software versions, which have exhibited a potential for power steering assist failure. The reported symptoms range from a noticeable increase in steering effort to, in more severe cases, a complete loss of power steering assistance.
The underlying cause of this malfunction has been identified as an overvoltage breakdown, which imposes excessive stress on the motor drive components located within the circuit board. This stress can ultimately lead to the failure of the power steering assist system. However, it's important to note that the system is designed to prevent a complete loss of steering assist while the vehicle is in motion. The critical failure occurs when the vehicle comes to a standstill, at which point the power steering assist may abruptly cease to function.
While it remains theoretically possible to steer a Model 3 or Model Y even without power steering assistance, the practical reality is considerably more challenging. Attempting to maneuver a vehicle weighing approximately 2,000 kilograms without power assistance requires substantial physical effort. Drivers experiencing this issue would likely encounter significant difficulty, particularly in tight maneuvering situations. To alert drivers to this malfunction, a visual warning message appears on the vehicle's display screen, stating, "Steering assist reduced. Steering may require increased effort."
Despite the official recall announcement occurring recently, Tesla has acknowledged receiving over 3,000 warranty claims related to this specific power steering issue. The company initiated an internal investigation nearly two years prior, prompted by customer complaints regarding increased steering effort. Furthermore, the malfunction became the subject of a formal investigation by a non-US market and, subsequently, by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States. Notably, Tesla has reported no instances of accidents or injuries directly attributable to this defect.
As is often the case with Tesla's software-related quality and safety concerns, this power steering issue is resolvable through a software update. Tesla is addressing the problem by deploying an over-the-air software update to 376,241 affected vehicles. This method of resolution allows for a relatively quick and cost-effective solution, minimizing the impact on vehicle owners.
This recall follows a previous recall in January 2025, which involved approximately 240,000 Tesla vehicles due to faulty rear-view cameras. The affected models in that instance included the 2024-2025 Model S, 2023-2025 Model X, 2023-2025 Model Y, and 2024-2025 Model 3. The root cause of the rear-view camera issue was attributed to a firmware problem that could lead to a shorting failure on the vehicle's computer board, resulting in malfunctions of the rear-view camera system. These recurring software-related recalls highlight the increasing complexity of modern vehicle systems and the importance of robust software testing and validation processes.