Safety Recall NHTSA · 18V204000 Reported March 29, 2018

Loss of power steering assist due to corrosion

Tesla, Inc. · Steering · 70,421 vehicles potentially affected

NHTSA ID
18V204000
Manufacturer Campaign
SB-18-32-002
Manufacturer
Tesla, Inc.
Component
Steering
Vehicles Affected
70,421
Recall Type
Vehicle
Report Received
March 29, 2018
Completion Rate
91.24

Defect Summary

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.

Safety Consequence

Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action

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.

What you should do

  1. Look up your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm this recall applies to your vehicle.
  2. Contact an authorized Tesla, Inc. dealer and reference recall ID 18V204000 or campaign SB-18-32-002.
  3. Schedule the free repair. By federal law, the manufacturer must remedy the defect at no cost.
View Official NHTSA Notice →
Related

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FAQ: Recall 18V204000

Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.

What is recall 18V204000?

NHTSA recall 18V204000 was issued by Tesla, Inc. on March 29, 2018. It addresses: Loss of power steering assist due to corrosion. The recall affects approximately 70,421 vehicles, with the defect involving the Steering component.

How do I get this recall repaired?

Contact any authorized Tesla, Inc. dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 18V204000 or the manufacturer campaign number SB-18-32-002. Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.

Is my vehicle included in this recall?

The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.

How long do I have to get a recall repair done?

There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.

Where does the data on this page come from?

All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.