What 417 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Tesla Model X P100d

The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model X. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal squeaky and clunking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the Tesla Service Center, where the front driver's side and the passenger's side front upper control arms links and bushings were replaced, and the four-wheel alignment was performed. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was significantly resistant. The vehicle was taken to the Tesla Service Center, where the intermediate lower steering column shaft was replaced. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 20-30 MPH and making a right turn, the steering wheel became significantly loose, causing the contact to lose steering control. Additionally, the wheels failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that the vehicle was perpendicular to oncoming traffic at the time of the failure. The contact parked the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to the Tesla Service Center, where it was being diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

NHTSA ODI 11583309

Power steering went out, and it was very difficult to turn the car, I called Tesla, and asked for a repair, I also stated the 20V062000 NHTSA recall and was told my car was not on warranty, my car fits exactly the recall number listed by NHTSA, I requested a refund and was denied. I had to drive the car 88 miles to Raleigh, I was put at a very high risk of safety to get the car fixed the steering was hard to pull and control, especially on stops and turns. NO warning messages, I discovered it when I was backing my car in the garage and did not drive it until I had to drive to Raleigh to get it fixed. The car was not inspected, I had to drive it to Raleigh for the repair. The consumer stated she requested to be reimbursed by Tesla but the request was denied.

NHTSA ODI 11517571

The suspension (the front half shaft) has repeatedly failed and has been replaced multiple times by Tesla. First it was replaced under warranty and now we are paying for it as it is no longer covered under the warranty. The part failure is a safety concern as it has lead to unstable handling, nearly resulting in a crash several times. The parts have always been discarded by Tesla but a full explanation of the problem is here: https://n2itive.me/ No warning lamps or messages appear as it happens every time you accelerate, and sometimes the vibrations are so severe that it affects the handling of the vehicle severely.

NHTSA ODI 11517670

The front control arms broke. I had it in for recall work and asked them to check the rear control arms. We had just gotten new tires on it and the tire shop recommended we bring it in to have Tesla look at the rear control arms. Tesla said they looked good and then last minute they said the front control arms were broken. Not sure how that happened, but it seems to be a common problem with the 2016 model xs. Paid 637.94 for the repair. Since then, our power steering has been almost non existent.

NHTSA ODI 11517217

The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model X. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving with the Autonomous Self Driving feature activated and making a left or a right turn, the steering wheel seized, and the Autonomous Self Driving feature inadvertently disabled. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown Service Center to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the lower steering shaft needed to be replaced. The contact then stated that the mechanic sprayed oil on the steering shaft to loosen the steering wheel; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

NHTSA ODI 11515160

I was turning left to northbound from westbound and as I was trying to accelerate to turn, my Tesla wouldn’t go past 11 mph. I stepped on the accelerator with all my might, but it wouldn’t go past 11 mph. On my dash, the alert said: “obstruction detected- speed will be reduced.” This is very concerning because the car was slowing down and obstructing the southbound lanes. This is very dangerous and could’ve caused a car crash. I could’ve easily gotten T-boned. After I made my slow turn, the car got back to normal and accelerated normally.

NHTSA ODI 11513687

The second tow captain rear seats are not bolted securely. The seats both rock forward and back. I brought it up to Tedla service and the representative came back with, The car is 6 years old. So does that mean Tesla Model X captain seats begin to fail after 6 years? The other issue is a steering issue. When I steer left or right I hear a clunking noise. It's not related to the control arm as it is a known issue. The odd thing is when it rains the noise goes away which I believe it may be related to a lubrication issue. When the vehicle dries up after a day or two the noise starts again.

NHTSA ODI 11511353

Possibly loss of power to the steering wheel, caused the car hitting the freeway middle cement separator Tesla refuses to look at my drive report to identify the exact fault of the car This happened on November 4th and I see there was an issue with Tesla cars due to a faulty software download during that time I’ve reached out to Tesla numerous numerous times, they refuse to review the report and identify the malfunction

NHTSA ODI 11503178

Unexpectedly the cars steering has become very stiff to steer. I live in New York City and after researching on this topic I've found that other vehicles built before October 2016 have been affected and have a recall. I believe my vehicle is a late 2016 build but my Vin does not show up for the recall. Also here is the article I found... https://www.consumerreports.org/car-recalls-defects/tesla-recalls-model-x-for-steering-issue/

NHTSA ODI 11457063

I was experiencing very loud noises from the suspension and/or steering while driving and turning. The tires were also wearing excessive and very unevenly. Within 500 miles, the tires went from 2/32nds to completely bald with no signs of tread at all and very chopped. I took the vehicle to Tesla for inspection. They came back with a repair order for $6,171 for suspension parts such as fore link assy for L and R, front suspension aft link, right rear upper link, air spring module L and R, sway bar link L and R and other misc repairs. I found that there were many complaints online for some of these components. Tesla offered no explanation why a garage kept vehicle with only 54k miles would have so many severe suspension issues and did not offer to cover any of the repairs even though the vehicle is just out of full warranty for time frame.

NHTSA ODI 11456847

MCU computer has failed multiple times, including one time, middle of a very hot summer day, turning on high heat and rolling up windows, until computer rebooted (seemed like forever), while on the freeway. Tesla later notified us of a recall of the MCU, but repeatedly denied our claim, even though they admitted the MCU was the culprit, "just 'cause". The steering is greatly affected by front motor and its half-shafts. Had repaired right before warranty expired, but the problem remained. Tesla techs all warned us that it would happen again, which it did shortly after, and Tesla refused to repair it again, except to replace the failed components with identical components, all at our cost (thousands of dollars). Tesla techs said that the problem was a notoriously bad design of the half-shafts. They said it was fixed in newer front drive units, but that our only option was to keep replacing the defectively designed parts. When it has this problem, the car wants to steer left or right, but never straight ahead, and can pull suddenly to one side, making driver appear to be drunk from the sudden left-right-left-right motions. Tesla experts have told us that the only fix is to buy a new Tesla.

NHTSA ODI 11442201

The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model X. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently began to stall. The warning message " Front Motor Disabled" appeared on the instrument panel. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, the failure recurred several times while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and arrived at the contact's residence to diagnose the vehicle. The dealer diagnosed that the motor had failed and advised the contact to take the vehicle to their location for repair. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who informed the contact that he would be responsible for the cost of the repair. The contact also stated that the steering wheel was making abnormal sounds while driving. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V062000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

NHTSA ODI 11437836

The electrical components in our steering wheel have stopped working, disabling the horn. The horn itself can be deployed from the Tesla phone app (so I know the horn itself is not bad). Additionally, the control buttons on the steering wheel no longer work. A simple google search reveals that this is a widespread problem with Tesla vehicles. Not having a working mechanism to deploy the horn is a very serious safety issue --as the horn is intended to be used to warn careless drivers from coming into your lane, alert distracted pedestrians, etc. Despite seeing this failure across a wide array of its vehicles, Tesla is issuing 4-figure repair estimates --or at least that is what they did for me. Tesla should be required to replace its failing components as a matter of public safety. I can assure you that people will be injured and/or die because of Tesla's failure to act. Please feel free to call me if you would like to discuss. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11435662

While driving slowly, making parking maneuvers, I heard a clunk sound from the right front wheel. Afterwards, sometimes when I turned right, I can hear screeching sounds. After bringing the vehicle to the Dublin, CA Tesla Service Center, the initial inspection revealed a broken control arm. Repairs call for the replacement of both right and left FORE control arms. The repair estimate is attached below.

NHTSA ODI 11423667

ENTERING THE INTERSECTION FROM A FOUR WAY STOP, THE DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE WHEN BRAKE APPLIED FIRMLY AT ABOUT 10 MPH WHILE TURNING LEFT. THE VEHICLE MADE A FEW CREAKING SOUNDS WHEN PARKING FOR TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THE TOTAL FAILURE. AFTER FAILURE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL MOVED FORWARD AND AFT WHEN VEHICLE WAS MOVED AND THE TIRE IMPACTED THE FENDER LINER AND RIPPED THE REAR HALF OUT.

NHTSA ODI 11413945

HERE IS YET ANOTHER TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/39245824?TENANT=US&ROWNUMBER=10 THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS SNAPPED OFF COMPLETELY. THIS DOES NOT LOOK LIKE DAMAGE CAUSED BY A COLLISION. THE WHEEL AND TIRE ARE ALMOST UNDAMAGED SO IT IS UNLIKELY THAT A VIOLENT FORCE WAS APPLIED TO THE SUSPENSION THROUGH AN IMPACT TO THE WHEEL. THE STEEL STEMS OF BOTH THE STEERING ARM AND LOWER SUSPENSION BALL-JOINTS HAVE SHEARED OFF. THESE BALL-JOINTS ARE ATTACHED TO SOFT ALLOY PARTS OF THE STEERING KNUCKLE AND IT SHOULD BE THE CASE THAT THE ALLOY WOULD YIELD BEFORE THE STEEL BOLTS DO. YOU CAN SEE THAT THE BALL-JOINT STEMS HAVE BRITTLE FRACTURES WITH ZERO KNECKING OF THE BOLT. A NORMAL BOLT WOULD NOT BE EXPECTED TO CRACK IN SUCH A MANNER. THESE TESLA SUSPENSION FAILURES ARE SO COMMONPLACE THAT IT IS OBVIOUS THE MANUFACTURING, QUALITY CONTROL AND TESTING ARE DEFICIENT. PLEASE TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION. PEOPLE ARE GETTING INJURED AND KILLED BY THESE DEFECTS. THANK YOU. CITIZEN KEEF

NHTSA ODI 11399024

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 ODI 11394956

2016 TESLA MODEL X. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 20V-062 AND 20V-710. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL STATING THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SCREEN WOULD BLACK OUT RANDOMLY AND THE STEERING ASSIST DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD TRIM SEPARATION THAT WOULD LEAK WATER THAT THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11394241

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TESLA MODEL X. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V062000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11389869

FAILURE OF THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION FORE LINK, WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED

NHTSA ODI 11389326

MY CENTER SCREEN KEEPS ON TURNING BLACK WITHOUT ANY CONTROLS OF SOME IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS ON THE CAR. I CALLED TESLA REGARDING THE RECALL AND THEY SAID THEY JUST CLEARED THE MEMORY AND DOES NOT QUALIFY TO HAVE IT REPLACED. YESTERDAY IT TURNED BLACK AGAIN AND COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR AT ALL.TESLA IS TRYING TO GET AWAY WITH RECALL. THE OTHER RECALL FOR THE BOLT IN THE STEERING HAS NOT BEEN DONE AT ALL.

NHTSA ODI 11388653

IN SUMMER OF 2020 MY SCREEN FOR ODOMETER, SPEED AND AUTO PILOT STATUS WENT OUT. THE DRIVER SCREEN WENT BLACK AND NEVER CAME BACK ON. TESLA SERVICE REQUEST A REPLACEMENT WHICH I HAD TO PAY $1500+, FEW MONTH LATER MY STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY LOOSE AND OFFBEAT. AGAIN, I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. WHICH I BELIEVE WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE I COULD NOT TURN VERY WELL. NOW, MY CAR TAKES VERY LONG TIME TO TURN ON AND THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DOES NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY.

NHTSA ODI 11388394

TESLA ALERTED ME TO THEIR RECALL IN FEB 2020 RELATED TO BOLTS HTTPS://WWW.TESLA.COM/SUPPORT/MODEL-X-STEERING-ASSIST-MOTOR-BOLT-RECALL AS OF LAST COMMUNICATIONS IN OCT 2020, TESLA STILL DIDN'T HAVE PARTS IN MY REGION AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY ADD'L INFORMATION TO PROVIDE. THEIR RESPONSES INCLUDED A "DON'T WORRY...ISSUES ONLY OCCUR IN COLD REGIONS IN THE NORTHEAST THAT USE A SPECIAL KIND OF SALT". - WHICH IS THE REGION I LIVE IN. (EMAIL TRANSCRIPT ATTACHED) IS THERE A STANDARD FOR A MFR TO HAVE TO MANAGE A RECALL?

NHTSA ODI 11376836

LOWER U JOINT FROM STEERING SHAFT TO STEERING RACK IS DIRECTLY EXPOSED TO ALL ROAD ELEMENTS AND DEBRIS THAT MAY BE RAISED, KICKED UP, OR SPLASHED UP FROM THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE. AS SUCH IT'S SUBJECT TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION, WASH OUT OF LUBRICATION, RUST AND OTHER DAMAGE. RECENTLY STEERING HAD STARTED TO STIFFEN UP, BUT WAS NOT TOO BAD. UNTIL MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND SHE COULD NO LONGER TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE WHEEL LOCKS UP ABOUT EVERY 90 DEGREES. IT WILL GO SMOOTHLY, THEN AS YOU TURN IT WILL FIND "LOCK UP" OR EXTREMELY STIFF POINTS EVERY ~90 DEGREES IT IS TURNED. TESLA SERVICE TOLD ME IT WAS THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT U JOINT, AND THAT CORROSION AND THE LOCKING UP IS A COMMON PROBLEM. IF IT IS COMMON, IT SHOULD BE RECALLED OR HAVE SOME SORT OF SHIELD ON IT TO PROTECT FROM THE ELEMENTS. SERVICE APPOINTMENT FOR IT IS ABOUT 3 WEEKS TO A MONTH OUT. VEHICLE IS NOT SAFELY DRIVABLE AT THIS TIME. I DID SOME INSPECTION FURTHER. I'VE ATTACHED SOME PHOTOS OF THE SPECIFIC PART. WHEN I FIRST SAW THE PART (SORRY, I DO NOT HAVE BEFORE HAND PICTURES) THE U-JOINT WAS COMPLETELY CAKED IN GREASE, GRIME, EVEN SALT FROM LAST WINTER, SAND, DIRT, ANYTHING YOU COULD IMAGINE BEING KICKED UP OFF THE ROAD. AFTER I THOROUGHLY DEGREASING AND CLEANING THE LOWER STEERING U-JOINT, WHICH REMOVED ALL OF THAT CRUD, THEN BLEW IT OUT WITH A AIR GUN, YOU CAN SEE IN THE ATTACHED PHOTOS THAT IT IS VERY RUSTED AND CORRODED EVEN AFTER A DEEP CLEANING. AFTER THIS DEEP CLEANING AND RELUBRICATION, THE STEERING WHEEL FULLY TURNS SMOOTHLY WITH MINOR BINDING IN PLACES. WHILE NO MAJOR ACCIDENT, WHEN MY WIFE COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL AT ALL, SHE DID IMPACT THE CURB.

NHTSA ODI 11373648

HERE IS A 2016 TESLA MODEL X IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/37193012?ROWNUMBER=146 IT HAS BEEN HAVING A REALLY BAD DAY. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE HIGH POWERED CAR, IT IS TO BE HOPED THAT THE OWNER WOULD NOT BE DRIVING AROUND ON BALD TIRES. AND YET, THE TREAD ON THE LEFT HAND WHEEL IS BADLY WORN AWAY AS THOUGH IT HAS PERHAPS BEEN RUBBING AGAINST THE BODYWORK BECAUSE THE TOP BALL JOINT HAS POPPED APART AND EVERYTHING HAS TURNED TO FECULENCE. I ONCE AGAIN URGE YOU TO FOLLOW THE LEAD OF THE CHINESE SAFETY AUTHORITIES AND DEMAND A RECALL OF THESE MURDEROUS MISSILES. THANK YOU. KEEF

NHTSA ODI 11366251