There are 8 owner-reported steering complaints for the 2020 Tesla Model Xin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
This is a major safety issue --- we got an error that steering assistance was "reduced" for about 12 hours. Then on [XXX] at around [XXX], we were pulling out of a parked area (after being parked for 2 hours) -- and proceeded to increase speed on [XXX] in Newark, the car steering wheel abruptly LOCKED ITSELF - you couldn't even move the steering wheel. It just locked and shut down completely. We proceeded to do a rest (hitting two scroll buttons) to reset the system over 5-6 times. Each time it takes about 10 mins to complete. It was pure HORROR - sitting on the road with cars just passing by and honking at me behind. I had the hazard lights on, but it was a dangerous situation. I was completely STUCK and immobile. After some time, the steering wheel "magically" started working again. We've dropped the Tesla off at Springfield and they are charging us over $6,000 in damages for this. This is a SAFETY issue (we bought the car in March of 2024) and it's only been 15 months since we've had this used car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Steering assist reduced. It has been faulty for the past six months and auto pilot doesn’t work. Not repaired as the cost of repair is 5K.
ON [XXX], while driving my second Tesla Model X on [XXX] from Carson City back to Reno at the speed of 79 mph on Autopilot, the same sudden loud alarming situation occurred, with 1. park Assist unavailable 2. Steering assist reduced 3. Adaptive ride control degraded 4. Traction control disabled 5. Stability control disabled 6. Lane departure avoidance features unavailable 7. Automatic emergency Braking is unavailable 8. Automatic vehicle hold disabled. I drove to s stop, the car can't park but remained in neutral gear. Can't hard reset. With my prior experience 1 month ago, I changed it into Tow mode several times, finally was able to switch into Park mode then was able to do a hard reset. When I brought in to Tesla, they said it's the SAME problem, steering rack issue. Another $5300 is gone. How can I be so unlucky to be hit with same model, different year, same problem, same driving condition and almost same place on earth, and both out of warranty and I have to pay in full? There must be manufacture defect on this!!!!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I have a 2020 Model X (23k miles) and the warranty just expired 2 months ago. It suddenly developed a loud creaking in the front end. The creaking seems to be related to the movement of the suspension, but I also notice it when I turn either direction. It’s not related to braking except to the extent that the suspension is compressed slightly with braking. From research it may be the control arms and front sway bar. Apparently this is a very common issue with the Model X per Online forums. Absolutely no reason why any of those parts should be failing for everyone unless it was faulty parts/engineering. This should definitely be investigated.
There is a known issue where the ball joints in the steering column wear out prematurely (on all Tesla models) and, if not fixed, can damage the steering column. Example: https://www.reddit.com/r/TeslaModel3/comments/vwrct4/does_anyone_know_why_im_getting_a_very_loud/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=4 If you just Google “Tesla steering wheel squeak,” you’ll come up with plenty of articles about it. Tesla has a tendency to hide or misrepresent ongoing problems, and use its customers as test pilots. Enough is enough!
Coolant leak in less then 5 months. Had this same problem in November 2021. Tesla replaced Value no.3. In April 2022 Tesla replaced Value no. 3&4. Very concerned since my warranty is running out soon.
HERE IS A 2020 TESLA MODEL X IN THE JUNKYARD HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/37336502?ROWNUMBER=125 THE FRONT WHEEL HAS GONE ALL WHOMPY BECAUSE THE TOP BALL-JOINT HAS POPPED APART. THIS CAR HAS ONLY TRAVELLED 4000 MILES SINCE BEING PUSHED OUT OF THE TESLA TENT. IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THE BALL HAS SUFFERED ENOUGH WEAR AND TEAR TO ALLOW IT TO POP APART. IT IS MORE LIKELY THAT THE BALL-JOINT WAS MADE BY STONED MONKEYS AT THE LOCAL ZOO. WOULD IT BE TOO MUCH OF AN ASK FOR YOU TO TAKE THESE WRETCHED JUNK-HEAPS OFF THE HIGHWAYS? HAVE AN EXCITING DAY. REGARDS KEEF
There were two issues that occurred within months of each other: 1) Power steering failed on several occasions– immediately following a service appointment in which the CV joint/half shafts were replaced and an alignment performed. Tesla implied that the intermediate shaft failed in pure coincidence; this is not the case: intermediate steering shaft failure after 40,000 miles with no warning and no impact is very highly unlikely. 2) suspension and steering components began to fail (Front Aft Suspension Link, as diagnosed by Tesla), causing excessive noise and wear on other vehicle components. Tesla was aware of the manufacturing defect prior to failure, but refused to cover the repairs under the warranty. Both issues caused difficulty steering and distractions while driving at both high and low speeds; losing power steering on the highway can be deadly. No warning signs appeared prior to the component failure in either instance, and "driver abuse" did not occur– though Tesla implies that with every concern. The car is set to the slowest acceleration and gentlest handling settings possible to maintain the longevity of the car's components. Independent mechanics not affiliated with Tesla Motors inspected the car and agreed that the failures were abnormal and not to be expected at such a low milage. The issues that began early into the warranty period were sudddenly no longer addressed once the warranty expired: a clear violation of the MMWA of 1975.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026