Tesla has issued a massive recall of 376,000 vehicles in the US due to a power steering assist feature that could make driving harder at low speeds, increasing the risk of crashes. The recall affects 2023 Model 3 sedans and Model Y crossovers running older software.
According to Tesla, the issue can cause an overvoltage breakdown, potentially overstressing motor drive components on the printed circuit board. This can lead to a loss of steering control when the vehicle is stationary.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had been investigating similar reports since 2022, with some owners citing steering failures and increased effort required to turn the wheel. While Tesla has not filed any reports of crashes related to this condition, it has identified over 3,000 warranty claims and 570 field reports that may be linked.
The recall is part of a larger safety initiative by Tesla, which has released an over-the-air software update in October to address the issue. However, the company has only now filed the official recall report. A staggering 99% of affected vehicles have already installed the update.
This recall marks Tesla’s second large recall this year, following a January recall of 239,000 vehicles due to malfunctioning rear-view cameras. The incident has contributed to a decline in Tesla’s stock price, which has fallen around 10% this year.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/tesla-recalls-380000-vehicles-us-over-power-steering-issue-2025-02-21