On Thursday, Tesla announced a voluntary recall of around 15,000 Model X SUVs, addressing an issue that might have given accident lawyers some good business: faulty power steering. The popular, luxury electric SUVs might have a stubborn power steering error, according to the American automaker.
Tesla said the recall is coming from an abundance of caution. The automaker clarified that it doesn’t know of any accidents that occurred as a result of the issue. They are simply making sure that an accident won’t happen in the future.
In an email regarding the power steering issue, Tesla clarified their position.
“Tesla has decided to proactively retrofit a power steering component in some Model X vehicles. This voluntary recall applies to most Model X vehicles built before mid-October 2016.”
Tesla went into further detail. “…[W]e have observed excessive corrosion on the bolts that attach this component to the steering gear in affected Model X vehicles. This corrosion has been observed primarily in very cold climates that use calcium or magnesium road salts rather than sodium chloride (table salt). If the bolts fracture from corrosion, the driver may lose power steering assist.
“This would not prevent the driver from steering the vehicle, but it would require more force to turn the steering wheel, especially during low-speed parking maneuvers when power steering assist is at its highest use. Power steering assist decreases with increasing speed, so the driver may not notice a need for more steering force at highway speeds.”
Don’t worry if your Model X needs repairs. Tesla has clarified that they will replace the bolts and apply a corrosion-preventing seal to the steering assembly. This issue is more likely to affect vehicles operated in colder, more corrosive environments.
Tesla assured drivers that they would perform this fix free of charge. However, Model X owners should exercise caution while operating their vehicles until the proper repairs are made.
