Tesla has acknowledged that over 300,000 of its electrical autos (EVs) may expertise a lack of energy steering. On Thursday, Daniel Donovan, Tesla’s Technical Publications Supervisor, submitted a press release to the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) indicating that the automotive firm would proceed with a recall. The NHTSA had beforehand introduced the recall, which issues 376,241 Tesla EVs.
The recall particularly targets the 2023 Mannequin 3 sedan and the 2023 Mannequin Y crossover. Tesla estimates that solely about 1% of the autos concerned within the recall have an precise defect. These affected autos had been manufactured within the U.S. previous to the software program launch model 2023.38.4. Extra exactly, the Mannequin 3s in query had been produced between February 28, 2023, and October 11, 2023, whereas the Mannequin Ys had been assembled between February 24, 2023, and October 11, 2023.
The affected autos are geared up with digital power-assist steering (EPAS) programs that will encounter a code error, resulting in overstressed motor drive elements previous to the software program model 2023.38.4. Tesla said that whereas this subject happens at speeds above 0 mph, there could be no affect on steering effort, though alerts will seem on the dashboard. Nevertheless, as soon as the automobile involves a cease, the steering system will revert to a handbook mode with out help. It stays unsure how lengthy this reversion to handbook steering would final or beneath what circumstances it might happen.
Tesla has acknowledged that this example may heighten the danger of a collision. The producer plans to recall all affected autos throughout totally different markets however has not disclosed what number of will likely be affected exterior the U.S. or offered particulars about these autos.
In accordance with Tesla, the software program model 2023.38.4 and later releases rectify the difficulty, and as of January 23, 2025, round 99% of the affected autos within the U.S. have adopted the discharge or later software program. Nevertheless, Tesla didn’t present figures on what number of autos exterior the U.S. have obtained updates or any related details about them. Automobiles manufactured within the U.S. have been rolling off the meeting line with the up to date software program since October 11, 2023.
The recall discover indicated that an unidentified regulatory authority in a non-U.S. area initiated an investigation into reported complaints of energy steering loss beneath the talked about circumstances. Tesla spent over a yr conducting technological evaluations with this authority earlier than saying the recall for the affected autos on January 16, 2025. The automaker didn’t submit the report back to the NHTSA till February.
In its submitting, Tesla admitted to having recognized over 3,012 guarantee claims and 570 discipline stories within the U.S., however it offered no particulars about claims or stories from worldwide markets, the place the unique investigation started. Tesla said it’s unaware of any crashes, accidents, or fatalities associated to this subject.
This recall comes on the heels of a big recall issued by Tesla in 2025, together with seven recollects for the Cybertruck in 2024. The corporate skilled a decline in gross sales in 2024 and noticed its share of the U.S. EV market drop beneath 50%.
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