Australian Government Recalls More Than 1,000 Tesla Model S Over Steering Defect

Tesla is in trouble again with another nation's government, but this time it isn't because of its Full Self-Driving capabilities.

The Australian Department of Transportation recently recalled more than 1,000 Tesla Model S due to a steering defect that can cause "serious injury or death" to drivers, passengers, and road users.

Tesla's Model S is one of the company's most popular electric vehicles (EVs) even after a decade due to its power, pricing, and performance, per Hot Cars.

Tesla Model S Recall Details

The Australian Department of Transportation released a recall order for more than 1,000 Tesla Model S and Model X with model years ranging from 2017 to 2020 due to a steering defect. According to the Department's recall notice, a recent software calibration change affected the EVs' Electronic Power Assist Steering system (EPAS), which may not operate properly because of the change.

An audio and visual alert will appear on the instrument cluster when the EVs' computer detects a reduced or lost power steering assist.

This defect will require Tesla Model S and Model X drivers to make a greater steering effort, particularly at low speeds, increasing the risk of an accident that can cause serious injury or death to them, their passengers, and other road users.

Australia's recall isn't the first time Tesla EVs were recalled due to steering defects affecting their EPAS. Business Insider mentioned that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a recall on Nov. 1 for the same reason, with the Administration recalling more than 4,100 Tesla Model S and Model X EVs affected by the defect.

The Model X is also involved since it uses similar components, per Car Wow.

Interestingly, this recall isn't the first Tesla recall the Australian Transportation department issued. It also released a recall notice to 326 Tesla Model 3 vehicles on Nov. 2, with year models ranging from 2017 to 2022, due to a faulty second-row seat belt.

The recall notice mentioned that it is possible that the seat belt buckle and anchor were re-assembled to the fastening bolt incorrectly during servicing, rendering them not operating as intended.

This defect could then increase the risk of injury or death to the passenger occupying the second-row left seat as a result.

Connection To The Chinese Incident

The Australian government recall of Tesla Model S and Model X came after a high-speed collision involving a Tesla Model Y occurred in China on Nov. 5 that left two people dead and three heavily injured, per The Guardian.

According to the video that showed the incident, a Tesla Model Y vehicle was shown slowing down in an attempt by the driver to park it before it accelerated, with the EV's brake lights not turning on. A Reuters report mentioned that the EV's data showed issues, with it giving no indication that the driver stepped on the brakes throughout the vehicle's journey.

A report from the Chinese news outlet Dahe Daily mentioned that the driver, who was identified as "Zhan," said he lost control of the car following his attempts to park by pressing its park button. He then reported that the car suddenly went over 100kph despite pressing the brake many times.