2016 Tesla Model X Steering Problems
NHTSA lists 58 steering complaints for the 2016 Tesla Model X, 13% of all complaints filed for the year, with 8 crashes and 3 injuries reported. A related recall, campaign 20V062000, covers corroding power steering gear mounting bolts on 2015-2016 Model X vehicles.
- Steering complaints
- 58
- 13% of 448
- Crashes reported
- 8
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 3
- Median mileage
- 40,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical steering symptoms owners report
- Owners report loss of steering control or the vehicle veering suddenly to one side at highway speed.
- Some describe the steering wheel going stiff or difficult to turn at low speeds, with the problem worsening over weeks.
- Several complaints describe the power steering assist cutting out or failing without warning, sometimes tied to a screen blackout.
- One owner reported the dealer refused to address a steering complaint under recall campaigns 20V-062 and 20V-710, saying the vehicle was not showing the failure at the time.
- A junkyard-inspection style complaint describes a ball-joint popping apart in a crashed vehicle, which the filer called unusual for a crash of that type.
- One complaint attributed a steering failure to a rack-and-pinion issue that a mechanic said was separate from the bolt-corrosion recall.
When 2016 Tesla Model X steering complaints were filed
First complaint Jul 11, 2016, latest Jul 19, 2026.
Steering recalls for the 2016 Tesla Model X
- NHTSA 23V085000Feb 15, 2023Steering362,758 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Steering:automated/adaptive steering
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation. The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.
Risk: FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-001.
- NHTSA 22V037000Jan 27, 2022Steering53,822 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Steering:automated/adaptive steering
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop.
Risk: Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-001.
- NHTSA 20V062000Feb 5, 2020Steering14,113 vehicles
Steering:electric power assist system
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Model X vehicles. The aluminum bolts that attach the power steering gear assist motor to the gear housing may corrode and fracture causing a reduction or complete loss of power steering assist.
Risk: Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will replace the steering gear mounting bolts with coated steel bolts, and add a corrosion-preventative sealer to the steering gear motor housing and motor connection bolts. If the mounting bolts are found to be broken or break during removal and cannot be removed, a new steering gear will also be installed. All services will be performed free of charge. The recall began February 15, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.
Steering complaints by Model X model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the 2016 Tesla Model X have a steering recall?
- Yes. Campaign 20V062000 covers 2015-2016 Model X vehicles whose aluminum power steering gear mounting bolts can corrode and fracture, reducing or eliminating steering assist. Two other recalls tied to Full Self-Driving Beta software, 22V037000 and 23V085000, also list steering as the affected component.
- How common are steering complaints on the 2016 Model X?
- NHTSA has logged 58 steering complaints for the 2016 Model X, which is 13% of the 448 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Have steering problems caused crashes on the 2016 Model X?
- NHTSA data tied to this steering category shows 8 crashes and 3 injuries reported for the 2016 Model X.
- At what mileage do steering problems tend to show up?
- The median mileage at failure for steering complaints on the 2016 Model X is 40,000 miles, according to NHTSA data.