2014 TESLA MODEL S Steering Problems

The steering assist failed while driving. Causing near collision and very difficult to drive.

I had a hard braking event to avoid a collision with a vehicle that ran a red light in front of me and immediately lost power steering and was notified park assist was also unavailable. Error codes EPAS_w001, EPAS_w002, and a GTW code I can’t remember. After leaving the vehicle on a charger overnight, the error codes disappeared and power steering returned.

My car developed a handling problem. I took it to Tesla service and they told me it was a bent tie rod. The part was ordered and I took the car back in to have it installed around a month later. However, they then decided it wasn't a bent tie rod and instead was an alignment issue. They did an alignment and told me the car was fixed. The car was not fixed. I have taken the vehicle in several more times and test driven with multiple mechanics/technicians. They all agreed that there is a handling issue but it doesn't seem that bad and they've seen much worse from other Teslas (implying it is an issue with other cars as well). At this point I am told there is nothing they can do to the car despite it being somewhat dangerous. The car pulls extremely hard to the left under acceleration and pulls to the right under deceleration. However, I have had an alignment done multiple times, I've put new factory spec tires and rims on the car and replaced all of the front suspension including bushings and control arms. At freeway speeds, if you accelerate to pass, the car will veer aggressively to the left towards possible oncoming traffic. Imperfections in the road cause the car to jump around in an unpredictable manner. Not only is my car dangerous but the technicians telling me they have seen this behavior in other cars is a huge cause for concern.

The rear motor (drive unit) has gone out on this car twice in the last four years. I purchased it after it was last repaired. It most recently went out on 08/04/2023. When it went out two days ago it had less than 30,000 miles on it. This car has a motor on both the front and rear axles, so while the vehichle was still moving forward, if it slowed down at all that would engage the regenerative braking. Once regenerative breaking was engaged, the rear drive unit would normal perform that function, but since it was out, it simply knocked the vehicle out of drive and made the transmission flash red. During this part, steering was affected in that the power steering was out, and the ability to move forward was diminished because the vehicle came out of gear. I was able to put my foot briefly on the brake and then tap the car back into drive, but anytime the car slowed down and engaged regenerative braking, this process would repeat. Looking at the forums, this is a known problem. As already stated, this is the second time in less than four years that this motor has needed replacement. Additionally, Tesla is saying that this motor is did not have a warranty on it, despite the fact that it was replaced only a few years ago. In my opinion, this is a clear safety issue. Reviewing the forums, it seems as though this issue is an endemic problem associated with the Tesla Model S from a range of years between 2012-2015. It is more probable than not that the company is aware of this deficit and has chosen to do nothing about it.

This is a follow up to my last two complaints of sudden swerves that are probably causd by suspension failure. It is in my opinion highly probable that the suspension is likely to snap when brakes are suddenly slammed on hard at speed. This is known as Tesla "Phantom Braking" and you have hundreds of complaints about this on file. This situation is extremely dangerous. Not only might a Tesla that Phantom Brakes be run over by a following truck but if the suspension snaps it can cause the Tesla to veer into the oncoming lane with fatal results. As a precautionary measure I believe you should immediately ban Tesla adaptive cruise control and autopilot because these are the reason that phantom braking occurs. People are getting killed almost daily. Please stop this deadly experiment. Here is a near miss event. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTk_T4olbws&lc=UgyIL5XI31XvUg7cg_F4AaABAg

This is a follow up report on the issue of sudden swerves by Teslas that have often proved fatal. Please note that I have used a random VIN since the VIN of the car in the crash is unknown. Also please not that as a non US resident I have had to use a dummy US address to enable the report. My true contact details are supplied. Here is a video taken by dashcam showing a Tesla ( actual year and model unknown) making a sudden violent swerve to the left and then back to the right and colliding with other vehicles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTk_T4olbws Sudden suspension breakages are happening to all years and models of Telsas. The quality of parts is not good and Tesla does not follow up on the causes of these failures. I beg of you to take action before more tragic crashes occur. They are crashes, not accidents. There is nothing accidental about weak suspensions snapping on the highway.

Please note that this complaint is about a fatal crash involving a 2014 Tesla Model S but because I do not know the VIN I have used the VIN of a wrecked car in a junkyard. Please also note that I have supplied my full name and contact details in this submission but I have used a dummy USA address to satisfy your website requirements. I have been informed that is OK for a non-Tesla owner and a non-US resident to file a complaint particularly when it is regarding a defect that is a danger to the public. There has been a quadruple fatality crash today in which a Tesla veered into the front of an oncoming semi. https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/08/15/four-killed-when-tesla-and-big-rig-collide-near-hollister/ The 2014 Tesla predates Autopilot so it is almost certain that this sudden swerve into the truck was caused by a mechanical failure, Teslas have been suddenly swerving since the Tesla was first released. There is sufficient evidence from the actual owners complaints that are listed on NHTSA database. Additionally my Flickr Album shows multiple examples of broken suspensions and also a report from an employee of a cast alloy suspension part supplier who reports that proper quality procedures were not followed. https://www.flickr.com/photos/136377865@N05/albums/72157658490111523

The contact owns a 2014 Tesla Model- S. The contact stated while driving at 60 MPH another vehicle was merging into the left lane where she was driving, and she made an immediate turn into the right lane. The contact stated she felt the vehicle pulled strongly into the right lane and then pulled back strongly into the left lane, and it happen several times until the vehicle started to operate normally. The dealer was contacted and was not able to set an appointment. The failure mileage was 48,000.

Mileage: 48,000

While driving the car at regular freeway speeds (50-65 MPH) on a sunny spring day, the vehicle displayed a warning message that "Power steering was reduced." This made steering the vehicle more difficult and dangerous in curves or during unexpected lane adjustments to accommodate traffic changes. The car's warning message did not go away and continued to warn that "Power steering was reduced." After bringing the vehicle to the Tesla Service Center, the staff confirmed that the steering rack and the harnesses attached to the steering motor had corroded and needed to be replaced. This Tesla model and year had another voluntary recall due to the bolts on the steering bolt corroding but the Tesla Service staff said this new issue was not related to the bolts but rather than steering rack and harnesses connected to the steering motor. When I asked what causes the steering rack and harnesses to fail, the technician said that exposure to the elements light water and snow causes corrosion. I asked if there was any way to prevent this from happening again and they said no. He mentioned that Tesla's newer Model S models now have a protective gear around the steering rack to prevent water corrosion but that the older Model S models did not have this protection and thus caused them to corrode and eventually fail. This issue is not normal wear and tear. This steering rack and harness failure has to do with exposure to the elements, the same reason that led Tesla to do a voluntary recall on the steering motor bolts. This steering rack issue is caused by the same issue affecting the steering motor bolts and therefore, Tesla should do a recall and replace the rack and harnesses at no cost to the customer.

THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING.

Mileage: 92,000

WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, AND THE STEERING WOULD STOP WORKING ( HITTING UNEVEN ROAD OR SWITCHING LANES). I DID NOT HAVE CONTROL OF THE CAR. MEANING IN CERTAIN AREAS OF THE ROAD, THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL. IT WAS AS IF THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY WENT OUT. IN ANOTHER AREA, IT WOULD WORK SOMEWHAT, AND THEN WE WOULD HIT ANOTHER AREA AND IT WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL. WHEN WE INFORMED THE TESLA SERVICE CENTER THEY REPLACED THE SCREEN ( BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN MELTING) BUT SAID THE STEERING WAS A TIRE ISSUE. I ASSURE YOU IT WAS NOT. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SCREEN HAS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN MELTING GOO AND THIS GOOD WAS DROPPING OUT ON THE CENTER CONSOLE. THIS GOO HAD DRIPPED IN THE AIRBAGS AND MADE THEM NON-OPERATIONAL. THE ONLY REASON WE WERE TOLD OF THE INOPERATIONAL AIRBAGS IS THAT WE HAD TO PURCHASE NEW ONES. PLEASE MAKE SURE THIS DEFECT DOES NOT HAPPEN TO ANOTHER PERSON/FAMILY, AS IT COULD BE FATAL. FOUR IMAGES ATTACHED:1. SCREEN ABOVE, 2. LEAKAGE BELOW THE STEERING. 3. IMAGE OF TOUCHSCREEN. 4. IMAGE OF TOUCHSCREEN. YOU CAN SEE THE LEAKAGE IN ALL IMAGES.*DT

Mileage: 21,000

BROKEN FRONT COIL SPRINGS OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. IT APPEARS THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FAILED AT THE SAME TIME. TIRE CAME IN CONTACT WITH WHEEL LINER. NO PREVIOUS INDICATION OF A PROBLEM BEFORE FAILURE STEERING UNIVERSAL JOINT WENT OVER TIME WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD HAVE TO BE TURNED WITH FORCE WHEN COMING OUT OF A TURN.

Mileage: 55,000

HERE IS A 2014 TESLA MODEL S IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/34094495?ROWNUMBER=64 IT HAS DONE NEARLY 100,000 MILES AND THE OWNER PROBABLY THOUGHT THAT NOTHING COULD POSSIBLY GO WRO.... BUT IT DID. THE FRONT WHEEL IS JAMMED BACK IN THE WELL AND RUBBING AGAINST THE BODYWORK. THIS IS A SURE SIGN OF A BUSTED LOWER FORELINK. ANY OF YOU FOLKS AT NHTSA INTERESTED IN THIS? SHOULD I REPORT IT TO THE VEHICLE SAFETY AUTHORITIES IN CHINA INSTEAD? HAVE A NICE RELAXING DAY. YOUR FRIEND KEEF

Mileage: 100,000

DEAR SIR, I BOUGHT A TESLA CAR FROM USA AUCTION AND IMPORTED IT FROM USA TO MY HOME COUNTRY JORDAN. I CONTACTED TESLA USA TO CHANGE THE OWNERSHIP OF THE CAR TO MY ACCOUNT AND IT IS DONE. I'M DRIVING MY CAR FOR +2 YEARS NOW. TESLA USA SENT ME AN EMAIL AND MAIL LETTER STATING THAT MY CAR HAS RECALLS. WHEN I VISITED TESLA JORDAN TO REPAIR THE RECALL; THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE RECALLS; CLAIMING THAT MY CAR IS NOT SUPPORTED DUE TO OLD ACCIDENT HISTORY (WHILE THE CAR WAS IN USA);;; EVEN THOUGH THE ACCIDENT HISTORY IS REPAIRED BY TESLA USA. NOW, I'M UNDER THE RISK OF THE AIRBAG AND STEERING FAULTY, WHICH MIGHT DANGER ME AND MY FAMILY; GOD FORBID. REGARDS,

Mileage: 25,000

"TAKATA RECALL" AND BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE POWER STEERING MOTOR TO THE POWER STEERING GEAR. SUBJECT: RECALL CODE: 19V-002 / RECALL CODE: 18V-204 / RECALL CODE: 19V-002. REPLACEMENT OF FRONT AIRBAGS AND POWER STEERING ENGINE BOLTS. HON. GENTLEMEN, MY ADVANCE AND RESPECTFUL REGARDS. AS AGENT OF THE HON. MR. (XXXX), I COME TO EXPOSE AND REQUEST AS FOLLOWS: PLEASE INFORM MY CONSTITUENT MEMBER THAT I HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM YOU. REALIZING THE NEED TO REPLACE YOUR TESLA BRAND AIR BAG. THIS NEED, ACCORDING TO YOUR INFORMATION, IS RELATED TO A DEFECT DETECTED IN CERTAIN MODELS PRODUCED BETWEEN 2014 AND 2016. MORE INFORM YOU. FAILURE TO REMEDY THE ANOMALY MAY RESULT IN THE EXPLOSION OF THE AFOREMENTIONED AIR BAG, AND AS A CONSEQUENCE PASSENGERS MAY BE HIT WITH SHARP METAL FRAGMENTS, RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH (AS DOCUMENT ATTACHED). I HAVE ALSO LEARNED FROM YOU THAT DUE TO EXPOSURE TO CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENTS CERTAIN BOLTS MAY BREAK AND RESULT IN THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING, WHICH MAY RESULT IN ACCIDENTS (SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT). IN THE LIGHT OF THE FOREGOING, MY CONSTITUENT IMMEDIATELY WENT TO TESLA'S PREMISES IN LISBON, AV. ANTNIO AUGUSTO DE AGUIAR 31, 1069-413, IN ORDER THAT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE SHOULD CARRY OUT THE INTERVENTIONS INDICATED BY YOUR SERVICES. SUCCESSES THAT REGRETTABLY, TESLA IN LISBON REFUSES TO MAKE THE NECESSARY REPLACEMENT, AND FOR THIS REASON THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION REMAINS A SERIOUS DANGER TO THOSE WHO DRIVE IT. NOW, IN THE LIGHT OF ALL THE ABOVE, AND SINCE THE LIFE OF MY CONSTITUENT AND HIS FAMILY IS AT PRESENT IN DANGER, I USE THIS LETTER IN ORDER TO ASK YOU TO TELL ME WHERE TO GO TO SOLVE IT. THE REPORTED ANOMALIES. WITHOUT ANOTHER MATTER AT THE MOMENT, AWAITING YOUR DEAR NEWS, I SUBSCRIBE MYSELF WITH HIGH CONSIDERATION. ANNEX: YOUR CALLING ACTIONS, VEHICLE REGISTRATION. THE LAWYER REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

I HAD SOME STEERING ISSUES, SOMETIMES THE STEERING GETS VERY VERY HARD TO STEER, I CAN SEE MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBERSB1832002 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER18V-204, AND I HAVE WROTE TO TESLA ABOUT ISSUES, BUT NO ANSWERS.

Mileage: 60

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 18V204000 (STEERING) AND 19V002000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO TESLA (100 SOUTH LAKE DESTINY RD, EDENVILLE, FL), BUT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

IT'S ABOUT 8:18 ON SATURDAY, MARCH 2ND, DRIZZLE. I WAS DRIVING FROM FREEWAY 56 WEST TO SOUTH HIGHWAY 5. AFTER MERGE TO 5 FREEWAY, I FELT THE TIRES SLIP, THEN THE CAR SUDDENLY UNINTENDED ACCELERATED AND STEERING WHEEL FAILED, CAR WHIRLED AT HIGH SPEED BUMP INTO THE LEFT SIDE OF FREEWAY GUARD WALL, CONTINUED TO BE ACCELERATED SPIN CROSSED FOUR LANES HIT ON TO THE RIGHT GUARD WALL, SPIN ANOTHER HALF CIRCLE THEN STOP ON EMERGENCY LANE. LUCKILY, NO OTHER CAR WAS INVOLVED, I WAS NOT HURT AT ALL, EXCEPT THAT THE CAR COULD NOT DRIVE. BY THAT TIME THE CAR SHOW 'STABILITY CONTROL DISABLED' SEE PICTURE. SITTING IN MY CAR AND CALLING TESLA REPORT ABOUT THE ACCIDENT. THEY TOLD ME THE REASON WAS THE WEATHER. ABOUT TEN MINUTES LATER, THE POLICE CAME AND LOOKED AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. AS NO OTHER CAR WAS INVOLVED, NO ONE WAS INJURED, NO PUBLIC EQUIPMENT WAS DAMAGED, THE POLICE DID NOT ISSUE TICKETS AND REPORTS.

Mileage: 83,977

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V204000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. EDON PRAIRIE TESLA (6801 WASHINGTON AVE S, #110, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55439, (952) 944-1373) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

I BOUHT THE CAR IN MAY, 2018. AND NOW I HAVE SOME PROBLEMS WITH STEERING. I FEEL THAT STEERING NOT WORKING LIKE IT SHOULD. IT GETTING HARD TO STEER TIME TO TIME.

Mileage: 10

HERE IS A TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTPS://WWW.COPART.COM/LOT/23955718/PHOTOS IT HAS BEEN IN A MAJOR CRASH, HAS BIO-HAZARD STICKERS AND IT IS NEAR CERTAIN THAT OCCUPANTS HAVE BEEN KILLED OR INJURED. OBVIOUSLY THE CAR IS BADLY DAMAGED AND HAS BEEN IN A ROLLOVER. BOTH LH WHEELS AND SUSPENSIONS HAVE SNAPPED OFF COMPLETELY. RH WHEELS ARE BOTH WHOMPY. IT SEEMS HIGHLY PROBABLE THAT DETACHED OR WHOMPY WHEELS WERE THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THAN YOU. CONCERNED CITIZEN. (DATE OF CRASH AND DEATHS/INJURIES ARE APPROXIMATIONS BASED ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE WRECK.)

Mileage: 1,000

POWER STEERING ELECTRICAL DRIVE MOTOR SEPARATED FROM STEERING RACK. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED WHILE IN DRIVE WAY.

Mileage: 101,000

HERE IS A TESLA DISCUSSION THREAD IN WHICH A TESLA OWNER REPORTS THAT HIS POWER STEERING HAS FALLEN APART: HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/POWER-STEERING-FALLING-APART.100951/ **SNIP - YESTERDAY, ALL OF A SUDDEN, MY STEERING STARTED MAKING SOME BAD NOISES - CLUNKS AND SCREECHES. TODAY I REMOVED THE TUB AND FOUND 2 OF THE 3 BOLTS THAT MOUNT THE ELECTRIC STEERING ASSIST TO THE RACK HAD SHEARED OFF. ANOTHER 2 BOLTS, ALONG WITH THOSE 3, HOLD TWO PARTS OF THE RACK TOGETHER. ONE OF THOSE IS ALSO BROKEN. IT CAN'T ESCAPE BECAUSE IT'S TOO LONG TO COME OUT ALL THE WAY WHERE IT'S SITUATED. ODDLY ENOUGH, THERE ARE 3 MORE THREADED HOLES (EXACTLY ADJACENT TO THE 3 USED IN ASSEMBLY) IN THE ELECTRIC ASSIST; SO I DIDN'T HAVE TO DRILL THE BROKEN ONES OUT. I FILED THEM DOWN TO FLUSH AND PUT 3 NEW BOLTS IN. (THE LAST ONE WAS BENT.) I'M PRETTY SURE THE ORIGINALS ARE ALUMINUM, BUT BEING SUNDAY I JUST WENT TO THE LOCAL HARDWARE STORE AND BOUGHT WHAT THEY HAD. BTW THEY ARE 8MM X 1.25, 65MM LONG.** I AM CERTAIN THAT BOSCH THE MAKER OF THE STEERING RACK WOULD HAVE HAD THOSE BOLTS SECURELY LOCKED TO PREVENT THEM FROM FALLING OUT. TESLA MOTORS HAVE AN UNUSUAL HABIT OF USING FELT TIP "WITNESS MARKS" TO MONITOR MOVEMENT OF MANY BOLTS ON THE CARS. GREEN MARKS ON SOME BOLTS CAN BE SEEN ON THE PHOTOGRAPH OF THE STEERING BOX. THIS SUGGESTS THAT THEY ARE NOT CONFIDENT THE BOLTS ARE SECURELY FASTENED. OTHER CAR MANUFACTURERS ENSURE THAT ALL OF THEIR TECHNICIANS ARE PROPERLY TRAINED IN THE IMPORTANCE OF SECURING FASTENERS CORRECTLY SO THAT THEY WILL NOT LOOSEN UNDER VIBRATION. THIS LOOSE STEERING ASSEMBLY COULD EASILY HAVE CAUSED A FATAL CRASH. IT IS EVEN MORE DANGEROUS IN THE CASE OF CARS FITTED WITH SO CALLED AUTOPILOT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. CONCERNED CITIZEN.

Mileage: 50,000

HERE IS ANOTHER TESLA JUST ARRIVED IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTPS://WWW.SALVAGERESELLER.COM/CARS-FOR-SALE/23213537-2014-TESLA-MODEL-S-WEST-PALM-BEACH-FL THE FRONT RH WHEEL HAS SNAPPED OFF. THE STEERING KNUCKLE IS JAMMED INTO THE TIRE. THE FRONT RH HEADLIGHT IS NOT EVEN BROKEN IT IS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE THAT THE DAMAGE WAS THE RESULT OF A COLLISION. LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER CASE OF SUSPENSION FAILURE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE.

Mileage: 76,000

HERE IS ANOTHER TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://M.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETENC.ASPX?AUCTIONID=0&ITEMID=24154272&ROWID=37&PAGESOURCE=VEHICLERESULTS THE SUSPENSION HAS COLLAPSED ON ALL FOUR WHEELS. THE FRONT RH TIRE IS GOUGED AND COMPLETELY PEELED OFF THE RIM. IT IS NEAR IMPOSSIBLR FOR THIS TO HAVE OCCURRED POST COLLISION. THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY SIMILAR INCIDENTS THAT IT POINTS TO A DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION WEAKNESS. PLEASE START AN URGENT INVESTIGATION. THESE CARS ARE LARGE HEAVY AND HIGH POWERED AND PRESENT A DANGER TO ALL ROAD USERS. PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM NOT THE OWNER, THE DATE OF INCIDENT AND OTHER DETAILS ARE BASED ON MY ANALYSIS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS. YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO INSPECT THE CAR AND INVESTIGATE THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CRASH.

Mileage: 20,000

TESLA'S RECENT OVER THE AIR SOFTWARE UPDATES HAS CHANGED THE STEERING PERFORMANCE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. NOW THE STEERING IS LESS RESPONSIVE. IT IS HARDER TO STEER TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND AND ROAD CONDITIONS. IT'S HARDER TO CONTROL AND STAY IN A LANE IN LESS-THAN-PERFECT CONDITIONS. *TR