Faulty Steering Leads To Largest Ever Tesla Model S Recall

Tesla Motors has issued a worldwide voluntary recall for approximately 123,000 units of the Model S, made before April 2016.

The largest safety campaign ever to include the electric sedan was made public in an email sent to owners, in which the automaker talks about how the power steering bolts could corrode and fail. This happens mostly in cold climates, where local authorities use magnesium or calcium road salts, and not sodium chloride.

In extreme cases, the Tesla Model S could lose power steering completely, although the company is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this issue.

“If the bolts fail, the driver is still able to steer the car, but increased force is required due to loss of reduction of power assist”, Tesla said in the email. “This primarily makes the car harder to drive at low speeds, and for parallel parking, but does not materially affect control at high speed, where only small steering wheel force is needed.”

Owners of affected Tesla Model S cars can still drive their cars while they wait to be contacted by the automaker, once parts become available. The cars will be fixed by replacing the power steering bolts, which will take around one hour.

On a side note, Tesla wants to make it clear that the only vehicles included in this recall are the pre-facelifted Model S, and that the recall doesn’t apply to the Model 3 and Model X.

Those who may have any questions about the safety campaign can contact the company directly by email, at servicehelpna@tesla.com or by phone at 844.248-3752.