2017 Tesla Model X steering problems
50 of the 268 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2017 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 database2 of the 50 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2017: 5 · 2018: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2020: 4 · 2021: 5 · 2022: 9 · 2023: 5 · 2024: 11 · 2025: 4 · 2026: 5
Half of the 15 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the steering problem between 2,000 and 55,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
268 complaints in all about the 2017 Tesla Model X, 5 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.
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 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 owns a 2017 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that at start-up, the steering wheel failed to operate as needed causing the vehicle to be difficult to steer. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was informed that the u-joint needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure recurred.
In june of 2020, the lower u-joint near the steering rack encountered a failed bearing making the car extremely difficult to turn for 90 degrees of steering wheel movement, free for 90 degrees, hard for 90 degrees, and free for 90 degrees. This occured at approximately 68,000 miles and 2.5 years of ownership.
When driving at 40 miles an hour three times the car will lock up and pull into the right lane. Each time there has not been another vehicle in the right lane next to me but i'm afraid to drive the car for fear that when this happens I will hit the car next to me I have complained to Tesla and they cannot fix the problem.
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.
- 22V818000 HighNov 1, 2022 · 40,168 vehicles
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electronic power assist steering (EPAS) system may experience a loss of power steering assist when driving on rough roads or after hitting a pothole.
- 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.
Other systems with a record on the 2017 Tesla Model X
Source: the same files- electrical problems 72 complaints
- suspension problems 59 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre steering problems common on the 2017 Tesla Model X?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 50 owner complaints naming the steering on this model year (19% 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 2017 Tesla Model X?
Yes — 3 campaigns are filed under this heading: 23V085000, 22V818000, 22V037000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do steering problems show up on the 2017 Tesla Model X?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 31,881 miles; half of them between 2,000 and 55,000. 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.