NHTSA recall 18V204000
A recall listed here may apply to a vehicle of this year, make and model. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle: check the VIN with the official lookups.
| Published by | NHTSA (United States) |
|---|---|
| Campaign number | 18V204000 |
| Manufacturer's number | SB-18-32-002 |
| Manufacturer | Tesla, Inc. |
| Reported | 2018-03-29 |
| Owners notified | 2019-05-07 |
| Component | STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM |
| Units potentially affected | 70421 |
| Report | Quarterly report 6, for 2020 quarter 3 |
|---|---|
| Filed with NHTSA | 2020-10-22 |
| Vehicles in the campaign | 70421 |
| Reported remedied | 64250 (91%) |
| Reported unreachable | 355 |
| Reported removed | 0 |
These are the manufacturer's totals for the whole campaign at the end of 2020 quarter 3, as filed with NHTSA. They do not say whether one vehicle has been remedied: check the VIN with the official lookups. The reports are from data as of 2026-10-19.
What is wrong
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Tesla Model S vehicles equipped with Bosch steering racks. 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.
What can happen
Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will replace the steering gear mounting bolts and add a corrosion-preventative sealer, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-18-32-002.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
| 2012 TESLA MODEL S | Built 2012-05-31 to 2016-04-09. |
|---|---|
| 2013 TESLA MODEL S | Built 2012-05-31 to 2016-04-09. |
| 2014 TESLA MODEL S | Built 2012-05-31 to 2016-04-09. |
| 2015 TESLA MODEL S | Built 2012-05-31 to 2016-04-09. |
| 2016 TESLA MODEL S | Built 2012-05-31 to 2016-04-09. |
A vehicle with no link is not in this site's catalog, which covers cars, multipurpose vehicles and trucks by model year. The campaign is from data as of 2026-10-19.
Bulletins for the same vehicles and component
| 15-17-001 | 2015-07-09. Service bulletin. TESLA MOTORS INC 2014-2015 MODEL S: CERTAIN VEHICLES, WITH THE LH HALFSHAFT, MIGHT CONTACT POWER STEERING HARNESS, RESULTING IN AN ALERT MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *LJ UPDATED 7/14/15. *PE |
|---|
A bulletin is the manufacturer's note to its dealers. It is not part of this recall.