2018 Tesla Model X Steering Problems
NHTSA lists 18 steering complaints for the 2018 Tesla Model X, 9% of that year's 192 total complaints. Median mileage at failure is 100,000 miles. Three related recalls exist, but none is specific to 2018 EPAS hardware failures reported in owner complaints.
- Steering complaints
- 18
- 9% of 192
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 100,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical steering symptoms owners report
- Steering wheel suddenly stiffens or locks up mid-turn, sometimes forcing an emergency stop.
- Power steering assist cuts out intermittently, often paired with dashboard alerts for traction, braking, or stability control.
- Owners describe notchy or grinding steering tied to worn lower steering column u-joints, sometimes requiring column replacement.
- After an over-the-air software update, some owners saw 'reduced steering assist' error messages appear.
- Loud creaking or squeaking noises from the suspension accompany steering complaints during turns.
- Owners report the steering u-joint corrodes and fills with debris, which some describe as a recurring design issue.
When 2018 Tesla Model X steering complaints were filed
First complaint Nov 15, 2022, latest Dec 18, 2025.
Steering recalls for the 2018 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 22V818000Nov 1, 2022Steering40,168 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Steering:electric power assist system
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electronic power assist steering (EPAS) system may experience a loss of power steering assist when driving on rough roads or after hitting a pothole.
Risk: A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update to recalibrate the EPAS system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 31, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-014.
- 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.
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
- How common are steering problems in the 2018 Tesla Model X?
- NHTSA shows 18 steering complaints for the 2018 Model X, which is 9% of the 192 total complaints filed for that model year.
- At what mileage do steering problems typically show up?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 100,000 miles at the time of the reported steering failure.
- Is there a recall for steering issues on the 2018 Tesla Model X?
- Yes, NHTSA lists recall 22V818000 covering 2017-2021 Model S and Model X, addressing loss of electronic power assist steering (EPAS) after rough-road impacts, remedied with an over-the-air software update. Two other recalls (23V085000, 22V037000) involve steering-adjacent FSD Beta software but are broader in scope.
- Did steering problems cause any crashes or fires in the 2018 Model X?
- NHTSA records show 0 crashes and 0 injuries tied to these steering complaints, though 1 fire complaint appears in the broader electrical/steering-related dataset for this year.
- How does the 2018 Model X compare to other years for steering complaints?
- The 2018 Model X's 18 steering complaints (9% share) is lower than 2016 (58 complaints, 13% share) and 2017 (50 complaints, 19% share), and well below 2022 (44 complaints, 35% share).