2017 Tesla Model X Steering Problems

Which parts fail

• Hydraulic power assist › Power steering fluid
  1

Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  640%
• 25k–50k
  427%
• 50k–75k
  533%
• 75k–100k
  00%
• 100k–150k
  00%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Tesla Model X owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model X. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number 21V035000(Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced the failure and while operating the vehicle the display screen which included the backup camera would randomly malfunction causing the screen to freeze or turn black. Additionally, while operating the vehicle the power steering assist had malfunctioned causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was 60,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to control and was pulling to one side, almost causing a crash with another vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but it was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer test drove the vehicle and the failure reoccurred, and the dealer deemed the vehicle unsafe to drive. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred shortly after the stabilizer arm and toe link were repaired. The contact also stated that a mobile message indicated that the I-shaft had failed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,340.

The steering wheel was dysfunctional; the wheel was locked in the middle of the highway, and the car started to change lanes, causing a massive accident. There was a significant accident between my car and a truck; both cars were totaled. My airbags didn't open as well. I got a massive concussion, and I do not know about the condition of the other driver. There was a recall about the steering wheel, and we brought our car to the dealership, and supposedly they fixed the issue. There was no warning or message before the accident. The message appeared on my Tesla screen for the first time less than a few minutes before the accident.

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model X. The contact stated while exiting the driveway and attempting to make a turn, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring and the steering wheel would continually go from difficult to maneuver to loose while driving. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to make a left or right turn, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that the steering wheel intermittently performed as designed while driving straight. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 31,881.

The car had no identifiable steering issues prior to this incident. On Saturday 7/16/2022 during a short, low-speed drive, steering effort suddenly became much higher during a turn, resulting in a near-miss. The steering would no longer self-center after a turn, and the vehicle was quite difficult to control in turns, requiring large turning force and with limited precision due to the force required to overcome the stiffness. Straight line driving was still relatively easy. Tesla repaired the vehicle three days later and retained the parts. The problem was described on the work order as 'Technician diagnosed the lower intermediate steering shaft joint was seized causing intermittent stiffness at certain degree of turn. …

Without warning, my steering became extremely rigid. I did not receive any indicators on the dash to suggest there was a mechanical/electrical issue prior to this incident occurring and only found out while trying to make a turn at a T-intersection. Turning my vehicle at low speeds requires two hands - it's so difficult my wife will not drive the Tesla after almost crashing into a ditch. I've researched the issue and found that Tesla recalled 2016 and earlier Model X vehicles for steering issues. I've requested a diagnosis and repair from Tesla given this extremely unsafe steering failure. Unfortunately Tesla does not offer priority to safety related failures and my appointment was set out about three weeks. …

I own a Tesla Model X, and for the past two summers I've experienced a repeating safety-critical issue during hot weather. After driving for a period in the heat, multiple systems begin to fail. The car displays numerous warnings including: "Parking brake requires service" "Traction control disabled" "Stability control disabled" "Steering assist reduced" "Automatic Emergency Braking unavailable" "Regenerative braking unavailable" "Lane Departure Avoidance unavailable" When this happens, the steering wheel becomes very stiff and hard to turn, which severely affects my ability to drive and control the vehicle. I've brought the vehicle to Tesla service twice. The first time (when it was still under warranty), they said they couldn't replicate the issue. The second time, I brought it in while the warnings were still active. …

My 2017 Tesla Model X (VIN: [redacted] ) is experiencing stiff and binding steering caused by corrosion at the lower steering column I-shaft universal joint. The steering intermittently binds and resists normal turning force, which has caused Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system to disengage due to abnormal steering resistance - a direct safety concern. Tesla's own Service Bulletin SB-20-32-004 documents this exact condition - I-shaft U-joint corrosion causing stiff steering - on Model S and Model X vehicles. The bulletin covers 2015-2020 model years. However, Tesla service center stated that my VIN is not classified under this bulletin and that the $500 repair is an out-of-pocket expense not covered under warranty or goodwill. The issue has not yet been repaired. …

Repeat catastrophic steering failure on 2017 Model X (VIN [redacted] ). Steering wheel spins freely with zero connection to the wheels (complete mechanical disconnect). This is the third steering-system repair in under 12 months. April 8, 2025: Lower intermediate shaft replaced (still inside 12-month parts warranty). Invoice does NOT list 'shielded' or part 1027851-00-A. Current failure now requires full steering rack (1070801-00-F) + module + severed cable. Current estimate DOES list shielded I-shaft (1027851-00-A). Tesla claims the April repair used the 'most updated' part and that TSB SB-20-32-004 did not apply to my VIN. This contradicts the invoices and the TSB itself (which covers 2015-2020 Model X). …

Related recalls

Steering complaints in other Model X years