general problems of the 2019 Tesla Model S

Three problems related to steering have been reported for the 2019 Tesla Model S. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2019 Tesla Model S based on all problems reported for the 2019 Model S.

1 Steering problem

Failure Date: 09/09/2023

Sept 9th, 2023 while driving on the interstate the vehicle lost all propulsion power, red lights shown in "gear, p n d" indicator area. I was in left lane and had to get to the side of the road, 4 lanes over, where putting the car in park and back in drive allowed for it to move forward again. I proceeded to a charging station to inspect the car and during this I hear a thump in the trunk area when going over bumps. Upon inspection under the car the rear access cover was hanging down but it was dark. The following morning a closer look revealed the rear subframe where the engine mounts had broken and a large piece of the frame was missing from the inside down. Mounting tab and hardware were still in place but pulled from the structure itself. The car was not handling correctly as if it had a low tire but tire pressure was correct. At drop off I noticed the rear camber seemed quite cambered. As a structural engineer I can see where the mounting tab weld to the aluminum frame failed. The frame appears to be cast and extruded tubing welded together and the failure is what would be considered a weak point at a weld. Car is currently at Tesla norfolk virginia for an evaluation and when I showed them the issue the staff did not want to document the issue and requested I perform a drive along with a tech. I asked why as the pics were evidence enough as to my complaint and issue. Cursory investigation online yielded this is not an isolated occurrence and with others having very serious failures I felt it important that perhaps it is severe enough for a modified part replacement. For reference no crash damage or any other like issues have occurred prior with the car.

2 Steering problem

Failure Date: 10/11/2022

While driving on a highway, car made warning sounds and displayed a message "steering assist is reduced, drive with care" the car was not drivable. I almost crashed as it happened on a curve. After I stopped, I soft reset the computer but that did not help. During the incident the steering wheel was set to comfort mode. I changed it to standard but I am not sure if that did anything. I completely shut down the car, waited about 5min and started it again. This time the message went away and the car started driving properly. I reported this to Tesla. Despite this being a safety issue they scheduled to look at it in 2 weeks which sounds very dismissive of the issue. I researched the problem and there are many others reporting the same issues. There are videos on youtube how to "fix" it by resetting the car.

3 Steering problem

Failure Date: 03/15/2019

On more than one occasion, when driving in enhanced auto-pilot and engaged auto lane change, the car started changing lanes, then abruptly swerved back into my original lane. I looked behind me and coast was clear. It's not at all apparent why the car aborts the lane change. I was driving the speed limit, 65 mph on a 3 lane highway and I was in a middle lane, changing into the right lane. First occurance was in traffic with plenty of space between vehicles to execute a safe lane change. Once the vehicle returns to the original lane it will attempt and successfully change lanes. Other occurances similiar in nature. When rounding a curve and executing a lane change with ehanced auto pilot on, the manuever is more abrupt, serious safety concern. All engaged functions of auto pilot disengaged due to erratic movement. As mentioned, this is an ongoing problem and on other Tesla blogs similiar occurances are reported. A bulletin needs to be issued relating the problem and hazard to Tesla owners and Tesla needs to supply a fix to the problem.


Other Steering related problems of the 2019 Tesla Model S

Steering problems
3
Power Steering Failed problems
1


Safety Ratings of Model S Cars
Fuel Economy of Model S Vehicles
Model S Service Bulletins
Model S Defect Investigations