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Federal filingsHome›Bulletins›Tesla› SB23-00-006
Manufacturer communication · Service bulletin

Tesla bulletin SB23-00-006

What it saysSome model year 2021-2023 Model S Plaid and Model X Plaid vehicles running a vehicle software version earlier than 2023.44 may require a vehicle software update to address a mild vibration felt from the accelerator… NHTSA’s full summary ↓

Tesla filed this with NHTSA as a service bulletin dated Oct 27, 2023, received Dec 18, 2023, about the electrical system. It names 6 model years (2021–2023). A service bulletin is not a safety recall: it is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a condition, and whether the work is paid for depends on the warranty in force. Quoting the number at a service desk can save a diagnosis.

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What the bulletin says

Source: NHTSA's summary of the manufacturer's communication

Some model year 2021-2023 Model S Plaid and Model X Plaid vehicles running a vehicle software version earlier than 2023.44 may require a vehicle software update to address a mild vibration felt from the accelerator pedal and steering yoke/wheel that may occur during acceleration. This behavior does not affect the operation or safety of the vehicle. The software update adjusts certain motor controls during acceleration that may reduce the vehicle's rated range by up to 2 miles (3.2 km).

Kind Service bulletin Manufacturer date Oct 27, 2023 Received by NHTSA Dec 18, 2023 Components Electrical System, Steering, Engine

Document filed under this number

DocumentKindDatedNHTSA idAt NHTSA
SB23-00-006Service bulletinOct 27, 202310247402not found

The summary is NHTSA’s abstract of the document, as filed under 49 CFR 579.5. One communication is usually filed as several documents — the bulletin, a dealer notice, an owner letter — and the number on any of them finds this page. A PDF link is shown only once NHTSA’s own server has been seen to serve that document; the rest are checked over the following nights. Quote the number at a service desk; it is what the dealer’s system is keyed on.

Doing the repair yourself, or pricing it before the shop does? Search the part by fitment on eBay Motors — the listing and the price are the seller’s.

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Model years it names

Source: as the manufacturer filed them

A vehicle page’s bulletin list shows the newest few communications filed against that model year; the count there is every one.

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What owners reported

Source: NHTSA complaint database

Owners of the 6 model years this bulletin names have filed 800 complaints with NHTSA since 2015. 271 of them name Steering, Electrical System — the same broad component group this bulletin is filed under. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so that means the same area of the vehicle, not necessarily the same fault.

The horn "button" on the 2022 Model S steering "yoke" is impossible to engage consistently when the wheel is in any orientation other than straight. I have been in 5 near accidents that have required lane departures and roadway departures to avoid collisions with other vehicles because it has been impossible to find and engage the horn…

2022 Tesla Model S · Steering · filed with NHTSA Sep 12, 2022 · ODI 11484000

Tesla provides a back-up input form to its touch screen -- namely voice commands. Voice commands operate, among other things, map positioning, HVAC, lighting. Unfortunately, as quiet as the car is, the voice commands are a roulette wheel of results. 80% accuracy in detecting the specific command is the best Tesla manages.

2022 Tesla Model S · Electrical System · filed with NHTSA Aug 17, 2022 · ODI 11479846

Steering assist error code. Car has less than 25,000 miles and Tesla is reporting this is common and the steering rack needs to be replaced and the steering gear left hand drive. Tesla Temecula also said there was a system malfunction that caused it but they do not dig into that they just do the service for $5100.

2021 Tesla Model X · Steering · filed with NHTSA Jun 2, 2025 · ODI 11664453

A complaint is one owner’s account, not a defect finding, and a bulletin is not a recall. Nothing here says this bulletin was issued because of these complaints, or that the repair it describes fixed them. Complaint files on this site begin in 2015.

More bulletins about the electrical system

Source: same model, same component group

8 other manufacturer communications filed against these Tesla models under the same component group (electrical system), newest first.

NumberKindDatedNHTSA’s summary
SB-25-16-004Service bulletinSep 3, 2025On certain Model S and Model X vehicles, the HV battery umbrella valves, over time, may become damaged due to road debris. Replace all 5 umb…
SB-25-16-002Service bulletinSep 2, 2025On certain Model S and Model X vehicles built between approximately January 2021 and September 22, 2022, the High Voltage (HV) battery ports…
SB-25-16-003Service bulletinJun 3, 2025On certain Model S and Model X vehicles, the battery powered Pyrotechnic High Voltage (HV) Battery Disconnect will reach the end of its batt…
SB-24-17-005Service bulletinApr 3, 2025On certain Model S, Model X and Model Y vehicles, the interior camera requires replacement to mitigate reduced driver attentiveness detectio…
SB-24-21-002Service bulletinMar 21, 2025Some Model S and Model X vehicles with 1st Generation Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) antennas might suffer from lower-than-expect…
SB-25-17-004Service bulletinFeb 28, 2025Some Model S and Model X vehicles with revision D interior cameras might suffer from lower-than-expected navigation signal strength under ce…
SB-24-21-001Service bulletinOct 1, 2024On certain Model S and Model X vehicles built before November 1, 2021, the vehicle may lack Bluetooth headphone hardware support for the rea…
SB-22-11-002 R1Service bulletinApr 18, 2024One or both front door drive units and front door harnesses may require replacement due to corrosion.

Quote the number at the service desk. It is what the dealer’s system is keyed on.

Every manufacturer communication NHTSA holds for Tesla, by the number printed on the letter.

Photo: Christian Buehner / Unsplash

Common questions

Source: NHTSA, 49 CFR 579.5

Is Tesla SB23-00-006 a recall?

No. A service bulletin is a manufacturer communication filed with NHTSA under 49 CFR 579.5; a safety recall carries an NHTSA campaign number (two digits, a letter, six digits) and a federal duty to repair for free. Check the vehicle’s recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or on its page here.

Is the SB23-00-006 repair free?

Not automatically. A service bulletin describes how to diagnose or repair a condition; who pays depends on the warranty in force, any extension, and the dealer. Quoting the number can save a diagnosis either way.

Which vehicles does SB23-00-006 cover?

The manufacturer filed it against 6 model years: 2023 Tesla Model S, 2022 Tesla Model S, 2021 Tesla Model S, 2023 Tesla Model X, 2022 Tesla Model X, 2021 Tesla Model X. Whether one particular vehicle is affected is a matter of its VIN and its build, not its model year alone.