2016 Tesla Model X Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 58about this part
- Share
- 13%of 452 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 58 complaints about the steering of the 2016 Tesla Model X, 13% of the 452 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. After further inspection, I found the right fore link was completely off the joint and hanging there.”
NHTSA complaint #11323290, filed 2020-05, 43,000 miles“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. I had it towed to the Tesla service center.”
NHTSA complaint #11289356, filed 2019-12, 70,400 miles“Most times when I take my foot off the gas pedal, the car seems to accelerate on its own. However, when merging onto the highway, acceleration is reduced. As of the past couple of weeks, steering around turns has become a problem. The car operates like it's sliding on an ice patch.”
NHTSA complaint #11394956, filed 2021-02, 19,500 miles“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. I can't imagine what the outcome would have been if it broken 5 minutes later on the highway with the kids inside the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11255176, filed 2019-09, 32,291 miles“The control arm broke while backing out of parking space. I did not run over anything when it happened. When I pulled back forward the front end lifted up. I hate to think what could have happened at high speed,”
NHTSA complaint #11243782, filed 2019-08, 21,000 milesRelated recalls
- 23V085000Feb 15, 2023Tesla, 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…Covers: Tesla Model X 2016–2023, Model S 2016–2023, Model 3 2017–2023 +1 more
- 22V037000Jan 27, 2022Tesla, 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…Covers: Tesla Model X 2016–2022, Model S 2016–2022, Model 3 2017–2022 +1 more
- 20V062000Feb 5, 2020Tesla, 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…Covers: Tesla Model X 2015–2016
Related service bulletins
- 10208328Dec 10, 2021Some versions of Model S and X front drive unit halfshafts might cause excessive vibrations during hard acceleration at higher ride height settings. This is exclusively an NVH…
- 10203323Sep 21, 2021Some versions of Model S and X front drive unit halfshafts might cause excessive vibrations during hard acceleration at higher ride height settings. This is exclusively an NVH…
- 10177030Jun 17, 2020Some Model S and Model X vehicles might exhibit stiff steering due to corrosion at the lower steering column I-shaft U-joint.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 14% |
| 2025 | 2 | 13% |
| 2024 | 3 | 11% |
| 2023 | 46 | 24% |
| 2022 | 44 | 34% |
| 2021 | 13 | 32% |
| 2020 | 18 | 14% |
| 2019 | 11 | 11% |
| 2018 | 18 | 9% |
| 2017 | 50 | 19% |
| 2016 | 58 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2016 Tesla Model X
151 complaintsElectrical system
93 complaintsOther or unknown
90 complaintsBody and structure
57 complaintsVehicle speed control
35 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
33 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsForward collision avoidance
24 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
15 complaintsExterior lighting
13 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
12 complaintsWheels
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Tesla Model X
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology