Recall Tesla Model Y and Model 3 Due to Power Steering Issue
Tesla has decided to recall 376,241 units of the Model Y and Model 3 cars from the year 2023 due to a problem that could result in the vehicles losing power steering assistance. The company revealed this issue in a filing to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The issue arises during low-speed maneuvers that put stress on the circuit board in the power steering system. While the system continues to function while the vehicle is in motion, the filing stated that the system will stop providing steering assistance after you come to a stop, even if you start driving again.
This could increase the risk of accidents, which is why the system is subject to a recall. Fortunately, if your vehicle is affected, you don’t need to take any action.
Tesla has released an over-the-air update to address this problem, according to the company. This is a common way for the company to deal with recalls and is a key benefit of software-defined vehicles.
However, Tesla appears to have numerous recalls, indicating a double-edged sword with this approach: it can easily fix most software issues, meaning the company tends to do less bug testing compared to competitors. Issues tend to become relatively widespread before being addressed.
“On January 10, 2025, Tesla had identified 3,012 warranty claims and 570 field reports for U.S. vehicles related to or possibly related to the condition,” the filing said. Tesla is also facing investigations by foreign regulators over this issue.
Tesla had to recall the power steering software for the Model X and Model Y a few years ago, as the system could experience issues after the driver hits a pothole or drives on uneven roads. This was also fixed through an update. Thankfully, Tesla owners rarely have to visit service centers to address this issue.
However, as Tesla conducts more recalls, Volvo experiences delays and significant software-related bugs, and Rivian ranks last in a recent reliability study, one thing is clear: fixing everything after the fact will only take you so far.
