2021 Tesla Model X Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 32%of 41 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 8,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the steering of the 2021 Tesla Model X, 32% of the 41 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 8,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“After an update I was reversing my car , car stopped in middle of road and steering wheel lost control with sign of steering assist reduced and lane departure ..... It was a death scare. I contacted Tesla, 3 weeks ago and today my car has gone for repair. I hear that model y and 3 are recalled. I can not trust driving Tesla Model X car any more.”
NHTSA complaint #11535984, filed 2023-08“I was driving and the car started changing lanes. The steering became heavy and I was barely able to move it and required extreme force. Tesla screen displayed ( steering assist reduced ). I almost died. I was facing cars on both directions and was barely able to get my self to a safe spot. There was no warning before this happened. The car is currently with dealer The steering became acutely extremely heavy and unresponsive and locked on a busy road”
NHTSA complaint #11595384, filed 2024-06“Steering got stuck on the road while driving. I couldnt move or change lanes. It was really scary. Then I slowed down and then I had tp pull out of the road to the shoulder. Then I waited for 20-30 mins and restarted the car. Then it worked. I was able to go home. I contacted Tesla and they said they need to look into the issue. At the service center, now they are saying they need to replace entire steering system and the cost is 5000. This is not fair and unprofessional. And it is very scary experience.”
NHTSA complaint #11695485, filed 2025-10“My car has 50,000 miles on it and is just over 4 years old. The steering column has failed causing it to not be able to steer. The service for this is a new steering column at a cost of over $5,000.00. The Y models and 3 models had a recall on this issue. Now it looks like the X models are having the issue as well. The consumer should not be responsible for this. It is dangerous. It is expensive to fix. A steering column should not fail at 50,000 miles. I am not the only person who has been faced with this issue. Tesla service even confirmed that they are seeing this on the X models. …”
NHTSA complaint #11668225, filed 2025-06“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. Looking online this is common.”
NHTSA complaint #11664453, filed 2025-06Related recalls
- 23V743000Nov 3, 2023Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model S and Model X vehicles. An incorrect air bag may have been installed when the steering yoke or round…Covers: Tesla Model X 2021–2024, Model S 2021–2024
- 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
- 22V818000Nov 1, 2022Tesla, 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…Covers: Tesla Model X 2017–2021, Model S 2017–2021
- 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
Related service bulletins
- 10253649Mar 5, 2024On certain Model S and Model X vehicles built from February 2021 to January 3, 2024, the material of the steering yoke cover might be susceptible to peeling (Figures 1 and 2).
- 10251053Jan 22, 2024On some Model S and Model X vehicles, the LH and RH frame rail bolts might not have been tightened to specification, which could result in a creak or rattle noise coming from the…
- 10247402Oct 27, 2023Some 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…
- 10245517Oct 27, 2023Some 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…
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 2021 Tesla Model X
9 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsForward collision avoidance
6 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsLane departure
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 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