On certain Model S and Model X vehicles built from February 2021 to January 3, 2024, the material of the steering yoke cover might be susceptible to peeling (Figures 1 and 2).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2022 Tesla Model X steering problems
severe 41 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
41
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
3crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 41 steering complaints filed for the 2022 Tesla Model X, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Steering accounts for 34% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 9 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 41 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
On some Model S and Model X vehicles, the LH and RH frame rail bolts might not have been tightened to specification, which could result in a creak or rattle noise coming from the front of the vehicle while turning the steering wheel at low speeds. This condition does not affect the structural integrity of the vehicle.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some model year 2021-2023 Model S Plaid and Model X Plaid vehicles running a vehicle software version earlier than 2023.44 may require a vehicle software update to address a mild vibration felt from the accelerator pedal and steering yoke/wheel that may occur during acceleration. This behavior does not affect the operation or safety of the vehicle. The software update adjusts certain motor controls during acceleration that may reduce the vehicle's rated range by up to 2 miles (3.2 km).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some model year 2021-2023 Model S Plaid and Model X Plaid vehicles running a vehicle software version earlier than 2023.44 may require a vehicle software update to address a mild vibration felt from the accelerator pedal and steering yoke/wheel that may occur during acceleration. This behavior does not affect the operation or safety of the vehicle. The software update adjusts certain motor controls during acceleration that may reduce the vehicle's rated range by up to 2 miles (3.2 km).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2022 Tesla Model X steering system shows multiple failure patterns across 39 complaints. The yoke's capacitive turn-signal buttons frequently fail to register input, forcing drivers to attempt multiple presses or wait 10–15 seconds during critical lane changes and highway merges. Tesla service centers have repeatedly been unable to replicate the issue or identify hardware faults in vehicle logs.
Power steering assist loss is the most serious recurring problem. Drivers report the steering wheel becoming extremely difficult or impossible to turn, often with no warning beyond an intermittent "Steering Assist Reduced" message. Failures occur at both low speeds (parking) and highway speeds, sometimes lasting only until the driver power-cycles the vehicle. One owner reports Tesla charged $4,100 for steering gear replacement (part number 1070801-00-F), while service centers have blamed moisture in connectors or claimed inability to replicate the concern. A recall (23V085000) exists but parts remain unavailable, leaving affected owners without recourse.
The yoke design itself presents ergonomic hazards. The horn has moved from the traditional center position to a small capacitive button on the right side of the wheel—difficult to locate during emergency maneuvers and unreachable during many turns. The high-beam button is similarly inaccessible. The yoke's non-round shape limits quick hand-over-hand steering needed in emergency avoidance. Owners also report the slide bar for forward/reverse doesn't consistently register input when hands are wet or have lotion.
One owner documented severe rear-suspension misalignment (+1.20° toe out of specification) causing both rear tires to wear nearly bald in 7,000 miles. Tesla refused to address the root cause. A separate complaint details a rear-suspension creaking noise; Tesla declined to inspect the vehicle under warranty because technicians couldn't hear the noise during the visit.
Other reports involve steering column faults causing unintended sharp turns at highway speed, simultaneous loss of steering and braking with sudden unintended acceleration, and vehicle stoppage in intersections with electrical system failure.
Failure modes owners describe
Yoke turn-signal buttons unresponsive
Capacitive touch buttons on the steering yoke for left/right turn signals fail to register driver input. Owner reports incidents where button presses do not activate the turn signal, requiring multiple attempts or waiting 10-15 seconds before function returns. Tesla service centers have been unable to replicate the concern or identify hardware faults in vehicle logs.
When: Reported within first 12 months of ownership / 10k miles; intermittent, occurring 1-2 times per day or every 2-3 days depending on owner
Symptoms owners cite: Turn signal button does not respond to press; Requires multiple attempts to activate turn signal; Left or right signal button stuck, no haptic feedback; Button presses work inconsistently, sometimes after delay; Issue occurs during highway merging and lane changes
Repairs/costs cited: Tesla replaced steering yoke on one owner (9/12/2022); however issue recurred after service. Part availability delays cited; subsequent service appointments pushed from 10/14/2022 to 11/07/2022. Other owners charged $70.50 for diagnostics with no repairs performed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tesla service unable to replicate concern. Vehicle logs show no hardware abnormalities. Service centers determined buttons operating as designed; no repairs warranted.
Power steering assist loss / steering lock-up
Electric power assist steering system fails, reducing or eliminating steering assist. Steering wheel becomes extremely difficult to turn, requiring significant physical force. Failure often preceded by 'Steering Assist Reduced' warning. In some cases, steering becomes almost completely locked, rendering the vehicle difficult or impossible to maneuver safely. Failures occur at both low speed (parking) and highway speeds.
When: Began as early as May 2024 and continuing through 2026; can occur after brief periods of driving or immediately upon restart; warning appears intermittently before physical failure; one failure report at 37,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes extremely difficult or impossible to turn; Steering becomes very heavy, requiring all driver strength; 'Steering Assist Reduced / Steering May Require Increased Effort' warning message; Steering assist intermittently unavailable; Vehicle power cycles briefly, then steering function returns; Failure occurs at highway speeds and during parking; Power steering fails immediately upon driving or after 30 minutes; Steering column makes sharp unintended turns
Codes mentioned: EPAS3P_a005_sent2mia, Torque sensor 2 signal not received
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported Tesla charged $4,100 for repair. Another owner reports steering gear left hand drive part number 1070801-00-F required full replacement ($2,000+ implied). Some owners report temporary relief from power cycling; one instance cleared after Supercharger visit. One service center claimed only moisture in steering column connector, cleaned and reconnected without parts replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tesla determined steering gear required full replacement (part 1070801-00-F). One owner reports Tesla charging full repair cost out of pocket despite documented pattern of identical failures at other NHTSA reporting owners. Recall 23V085000 (Steering, Electrical System) exists but affected owners report parts unavailable, delaying recall repairs indefinitely. One owner states recall made car less safe and should not have been forced on vehicle.
Horn button design - inaccessible and difficult to locate
Horn function moved from traditional center-wheel position to small capacitive touch button on right side of steering yoke. Button is difficult to locate, especially during emergency maneuvers. Button location moves with wheel rotation, and requires deliberate search during high-stress situations. Drivers unable to activate horn quickly in collision-avoidance scenarios.
When: Ongoing issue affecting 2021-2022 Model S and X yoke-steering vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Cannot reach horn button with right thumb while maintaining driving hand position; Requires looking away from road to locate horn button; Delayed horn response due to time spent locating button; Horn button moves as steering wheel rotates, making location unpredictable; Impossible to activate horn quickly in emergency situations; Horn does not respond when pressing center of wheel (traditional location); Unable to activate horn with left hand during emergency merges
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports Tesla released a new version of the wheel with center horn for newer models, but out-of-warranty owners charged significant cost for replacement. Recall 23V085000 addresses this for some model years, including steering and electrical system changes.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 23V085000 released to address steering and horn design issues; however, implementation varies. Some owners received wheel replacement under recall. Out-of-warranty owners charged full replacement cost. One owner reports recall actually made car less safe.
High-beam button inaccessible and non-intuitive
High-beam function controlled by small capacitive touch button on steering yoke, not a traditional stalk. Button requires sustained hold-down (not instant toggle), is located in difficult-to-reach position, and provides no tactile feedback. Driver must look away from road to locate button and confirm activation.
When: Ongoing issue affecting 2021-2022 Model X vehicles with yoke steering
Symptoms owners cite: High-beam button difficult to locate without looking at steering wheel; Requires sustained button hold, not instant toggle; Requires full hand repositioning to reach button safely; Does not always work when activated; No tactile feedback to confirm button contact; Impossible for drivers with smaller hands to reach without repositioning grip
Yoke shape problematic for emergency steering maneuvers
Non-round yoke steering wheel shape limits driver's ability to perform quick, multi-directional emergency maneuvers. Shape prevents the rapid hand-over-hand steering motions needed in accident-avoidance scenarios. Driver reports multiple near-accidents over one year of ownership where yoke design compromised emergency vehicle control.
When: Ongoing design issue affecting 2021-2022 Model X vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Cannot execute quick, multiple emergency maneuvers safely; Yoke shape prevents hand-over-hand steering technique; Multiple near-accidents due to inability to maneuver quickly; Requires deliberate hand repositioning during emergency situations
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented. Owner suggested design review and offered to bring vehicle for NHTSA evaluation.
Slide bar / scroll wheel unresponsive
Capacitive scroll bar on steering yoke fails to register swipe input, particularly when driver's hand has lotion or moisture. Driver cannot reliably swipe to engage forward/reverse, resulting in unintended vehicle motion and parking lot accident.
When: Ongoing issue; one incident on 7/7/2023
Symptoms owners cite: Scroll bar does not register swipe input when hand is wet or has lotion; Unintended reverse motion when attempting to swipe forward; Driver must attempt swipe multiple times to activate forward motion
Rear suspension misalignment and control arm play
Rear suspension exhibits excessive play in control arm / suspension linkage, causing severe rear-wheel misalignment (toe out of specification). Misalignment cannot be corrected and corrects itself, indicating underlying mechanical defect rather than simple alignment issue. Results in rapid tire wear, uneven wear, and unstable driving behavior.
When: Began shortly after vehicle purchase; discovered within first several months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Rapid and uneven tire wear on both rear tires; Both rear tires became nearly completely bald within 7,000 miles; Rear toe approximately +1.20° out of specification; Alignment cannot be maintained; Increased energy consumption; Unstable driving behavior at highway speeds; No warning lights or system messages prior to failure
Repairs/costs cited: Independent service center (Les Schwab) documented suspension play in rear control arm area and out-of-specification alignment. Replacement tire again worn to minimum safety limit after 5,386 additional miles, indicating root cause not corrected. Tesla replaced only one rear tire and declined to address root cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tesla inspected vehicle but refused to replace suspension components. Stated no suspension components required replacement and attributed issue only to alignment. Refused to provide detailed documentation of inspection findings.
Steering system electrical failure / simultaneous multi-system collapse
Complete loss of steering and braking control accompanied by cascade of critical system alerts and sudden unintended acceleration. Vehicle exhibits simultaneous failure of multiple primary safety systems including ABS, stability control, and steering assist.
When: January 30, 2026
Symptoms owners cite: Total loss of steering control; Total loss of braking control; ABS malfunction alert; Stability control disabled alert; Steering assist reduced/disabled alert; Sudden unintended acceleration; Vehicle increases speed despite driver applying brake pedal
Steering wheel unresponsive during automated steering / lane assist engagement
Steering wheel becomes unresponsive or behaves erratically when vehicle's automated steering or lane-keep assist systems engage. Driver experiences loss of steering control during emergency maneuvers while autopilot systems are active.
When: Ongoing during autopilot operation
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel unresponsive or makes sharp unintended turns; Lane-keep assist engages without driver input, causing vehicle swerve; Vehicle swerves toward adjacent lane or obstacle; Driver must apply significant force to regain control; Power steering fails during automated steering event; Steering electronics rip wheel out of driver's hands during turns
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer informed of incident; determined no repair needed despite significant safety risk.
Steering column internal fault causing unintended sharp turn
Internal fault in steering column causes steering to make sharp unintended turn while vehicle is traveling at 55 mph with auto steering deactivated. Vehicle suddenly veers into oncoming lane. Failure attributed to steering column internal fault by service center.
When: At 37,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: 'Auto Steering Unavailable' message displays suddenly; Steering wheel makes sharp unintended left turn; Vehicle swerves into oncoming lane; Driver must forcefully turn wheel right to avoid head-on collision
Repairs/costs cited: Service center confirmed internal fault in steering column; vehicle not yet repaired at time of report.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; vehicle was under warranty but not yet repaired.
Creaking noise from suspension / steering during low-speed turns
Intermittent creaking noise originating from steering or suspension system during low-speed turning. Noise is intermittent, making dealer diagnosis difficult. Owner concerns relate to potential suspension breakdown similar to reported wheel-failure incidents at other Tesla vehicles.
When: Reported at 5,100 miles; recurred at 7,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent creaking noise from under vehicle during low-speed steering; Noise occurs consistently enough for owner to hear again after initial report
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tesla service refused to inspect vehicle, stating they would not examine car unless they could hear noise in-person. Dealer declined to place vehicle on lift despite warranty coverage and owner complaint.
Vehicle stops in intersection with electrical system failure
Vehicle suddenly stops in middle of intersection during left turn. Vehicle shakes for approximately 2 seconds, then stops. System message indicates 'electrical system unable to support functions.' No warning prior to failure.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle suddenly stops in intersection; Vehicle shakes for 2 seconds; Vehicle loses propulsion during driving; 'Electrical system unable to support functions' message appears after stop
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to Tesla dealership; repair status not provided.
Sudden steering loss and unintended acceleration during FSD supervised mode
While using FSD supervised mode, steering wheel becomes uncontrollable and vehicle accelerates uncontrollably. Vehicle strikes multiple electrical posts and only stops after airbag deployment.
When: January 31, 2026, 10:30 PM
Symptoms owners cite: Red image suddenly appeared on display; Car accelerated rapidly without driver input; Loss of steering control; Vehicle collides with multiple electrical posts
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle total loss; front completely damaged.
Synthesized from 41 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
I sometimes hear a creaking noise from under my car when driving and steering at low speed and believe there is a potential defect that poses a risk to motor vehicle safety. I took my car into Tesla but they said they would not look at the car unless they could first hear a noise which is I told them is intermittent. They could nto hear a noise at the time, so did nto look at it. I have on…
The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH with the Auto Steering feature deactivated, the message "Auto Steering Unavailable" Suddenly displayed. Approximately three seconds later, the steering wheel erroneously made a sharp turn to the left causing the vehicle to drive into the opposite lane. The contact was able to forcefully turn the…
My Tesla stopped in the middle of a 4 way intersection without notice. As I was turning left, the car started to shake for about 2 seconds and then stopped. No warning or anything. The notification stated "electrical system unable to support functions." My safety was put at risk and others. I was traveling with my 11 month old and other cars could have hit my car if they were not paying attention…
My left turn signal on my steering wheel intermittently wont turn on. Its very annoying I thought it was a software issue and waited because Tesla service center is so bad. After research on the internet forums people have suggested to report this to NHTSA due to no resolutions found.
This is regarding the 2022 Tesla Model X steering wheel/yoke The button for the left and right turning signal occasionally does not work. When I tried pressing down the bottom, it is stuck and does not produce the haptic vibration It at least malfunctions once every 2-3 days. This is especially dangerous when I am merging onto the freeway, when it suddenly stops working. Tesla first address…
The design feature of having the HORN be a soft key rather than palming the steering wheel just like every other car, has resulted in multiple occurrences where I tried to honk at someone to avert a collision, and the honk was delayed by hundreds of milliseconds as I had to recall that the horn is a soft key, that I have to hunt for depending on the steering wheel angle, at a critical time when…
Had steering trouble with your 2022 Tesla Model X?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2022 Tesla Model X?
It's a meaningful issue. 41 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 41 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 37,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2022/Tesla/Model X.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.