general problems of the 2018 Tesla Model S

My 2018 Tesla Model S has a recurring safety-critical defect involving the steering system and the chassis can communication network. On October 20, 2025, the vehicle had to be towed to a Tesla service center because it would not power on and displayed multiple safety alerts (traction control disabled, stability control disabled, abs disabled, and reduced steering assist). Tesla documented that the steering rack was “bringing down the chassis can” and stated the issue might require a new steering rack and coolant pump if it returned. The warnings have now returned, and the vehicle is again showing active alerts for disabled traction control, disabled stability control, and previously reduced steering assist. This is a repeat of the same unsafe condition that Tesla attempted to repair. The car is unsafe to drive and could cause loss of steering control. This is a recurring steering/chassis can failure with major safety system disablement. I am reporting this because the defect affects vehicle control and increases the risk of a crash.

The cable harness (slip ring) connecting the steering wheel controls including the vehicle horn, steering wheel buttons, scroll wheels, and potentially the airbag (according to the service technician) failed on this vehicle in January 2025. The vehicle was inspected by Tesla’s mobile service and they acknowledged that the cable harness had indeed failed. It is available for inspection. We have been forced to drive this car without a functioning horn and airbag. There were no warning signs or messages on the vehicle computer.

I pulled into a driveway on a one lane road (due to construction) to allow a car traveling downhill to pass so they would not have to back up. I had come to a complete stop in the driveway with the car in drive. As I started to put the car in reverse it surged forward at a high rate of speed crashing into my neighbor's garage, tearing the door completely down pushing the door into the garage and my car entering the garage at least 15 feet hitting the car that was parked inside and pushing it with such force that the front end of the vehicle struck the garage cabinets tearing them down. My air bag did not deploy nor did the automatic braking system engage, it just sped up as it was doing the damage. The car has been deemed a total loss by my insurance company but I don't want this report to go unnoticed. To my knowledge the insurance company has not inspected the computer on the vehicle. I'm not sure how they will investigate this occurrence. I feel strongly that this was a malfunction with my car. The message that showed immediately was "driver assist unavailable", I have never used driver assist.

I hit a deer on interstate. Airbags and pretensioner deployed. After vehicle shut down no doors can be opened from inside or outside. No injuries but could have been disaster if someone was trapped inside.