2016 Tesla Model X steering problems
58 of the 448 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Tesla Model X name the steering (NHTSA’s “Steering” heading — the steering column, rack, pump and power assist). Filed under the same heading: 3 recalls. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the steering
Source: NHTSA complaint database8 of the 58 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 3 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2016: 8 · 2017: 2 · 2018: 1 · 2019: 3 · 2020: 8 · 2021: 12 · 2022: 2 · 2023: 7 · 2024: 3 · 2025: 8 · 2026: 4
Half of the 27 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the steering problem between 2,000 and 66,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
448 complaints in all about the 2016 Tesla Model X, 4 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Steering” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Tesla Model X steering problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the steering. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Iaai. Com/vehicledetails/36658270?rownumber=43 it has been in a serious crash and has bio-hazard sticker. Judging by the condition of the wreck it seems likely that the driver was killed or injured. The top ball-joint has popped apart. Even in a crash it is unusual for a ball-joint to be popped apart like this.
While reversing into my driveway, we heard a loud bang sound as if I ran over something, I stopped the car to make sure I didn't run over anything, which I didn't. I put the car back in reverse and can hear big scraping sound, it was the tire hitting wheel well.
As I was driving, I heard loud grinding noise when I turned the steering in either direction and I lost power to my steering and a message "power steering failure, may need extra effort to steer" was on the dashboard. Luckily I was not too far from my house and was able to go back home with lots of extra effort turning the steering.
Was driving at 19 MPH in city street and had to make a panic stop due to a car about to cut me off. Heard a loud bang. I got out of the car and the driver side front wheel is displaced. Further investigation I can see the lower driver side control arm had broken . Car was not drivable without a loud crunching sound.
Left front suspension fore link cracked and fell off. Vehicle was only backing up out of garage and steering wheel was turned to the left when a loud crack was heard from under the vehicle. The back up speed was only 1-2 MPH. Luckily, I was still in my driveway taking my kids to school.
What is on file about the steering
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecalls filed under this heading
- 23V085000 HighFeb 15, 2023 · 362,758 vehicles
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation. The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.
- 22V037000 HighJan 27, 2022 · 53,822 vehicles
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop.
- 20V062000 HighFeb 5, 2020 · 14,113 vehicles
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Model X vehicles. The aluminum bolts that attach the power steering gear assist motor to the gear housing may corrode and fracture causing a reduction or complete loss of power steering assist.
Other systems with a record on the 2016 Tesla Model X
Source: the same files- suspension problems 150 complaints
- electrical problems 93 complaints
- body and structure problems 57 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre steering problems common on the 2016 Tesla Model X?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 58 owner complaints naming the steering on this model year (13% of everything owners filed about it), and 3 recalls are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the steering on the 2016 Tesla Model X?
Yes — 3 campaigns are filed under this heading: 23V085000, 22V037000, 20V062000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do steering problems show up on the 2016 Tesla Model X?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 40,000 miles; half of them between 2,000 and 66,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Steering" heading cover?
The steering column, rack, pump and power assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.