US closes Tesla power steering probe

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has closed engineering analysis EA24001, which examined loss of electronic power-assisted steering on certain 2023 Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. The analysis focused on incidents in which drivers reported a loss or degradation of steering assistance while operating these vehicles.

NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation ended the analysis on June 26, 2026. The decision followed a review of vehicle-owner complaints and Tesla field data related to the steering behavior on the affected models.

Tesla addressed the issue through safety recall 25V092, reported on February 19, 2025. As part of this recall, the company distributed a steering electronic control unit software remedy via an over-the-air update identified as software release 2023.38.4.

The software update began reaching vehicles in October 2023. After the deployment of this release, NHTSA observed a decline in complaint volume related to loss of electronic power-assisted steering on the covered 2023 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles.

Citing this decline in complaints after the software remedy, ODI determined that the engineering analysis could be closed. Nonetheless, the office emphasized that it will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the recall remedy.

Tesla traced the steering failures to an overvoltage breakdown that can overstress motor-drive components on the steering ECU printed circuit board. This condition can affect the primary motor-drive circuitry responsible for providing steering assistance.

When this overvoltage breakdown occurs, steering assistance can be diverted from the primary motor-drive components to secondary components. Under these circumstances, power-assisted steering can be maintained while the vehicle remains in motion and slows to a stop.

Once the vehicle stops, power-assisted steering can be lost until the steering ECU is replaced. This behavior informed both the investigative focus and the structure of the recall remedy, which combined a software update with replacement of affected hardware when necessary.

With EA24001 now closed, NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation has indicated that it will continue to monitor field performance data and the effectiveness of the 25V092 recall remedy. This ongoing oversight includes tracking any future complaints or incidents linked to loss of power-assisted steering on the affected Tesla vehicles.

ODI has reserved the right to take further action if future circumstances warrant. This means that while the current engineering analysis is complete, additional investigative steps or regulatory measures remain possible if new safety concerns emerge related to the steering ECU issue.