Tesla recently issued a recall for 2023 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles operating software prior to 2023.38.4.

The recall, estimating 376,241 vehicles, focuses on the printed circuit board for the electronic power steering assist (EPAS), which may experience an overstress condition.

Reason for the Recall

In December 2023, a regulatory authority in a non-US market opened a formal inquiry to investigate complaints relating to the loss of EPAS, with investigations and reviews occurring between December 2023 and January 2025.

An overstressing condition affecting the EPAS can cause a loss of power steering assistance when the vehicle reaches a stop and accelerates again.

By design, if the overstress condition occurs while the vehicle is traveling above zero mph, steering efforts will not be affected, and a visual alert will illuminate. Once the vehicle speed reaches zero mph, a loss of EPAS may occur, and loss of EPAS will persist when the vehicle is driven above zero mph. Manual steering without EPAS remains available to the driver.

If a driver experiences the condition, the following visual alert will appear on the user interface (UI): “Steering assist reduced. Steering may require increased effort.”

The remedy includes an over-the-air (OTA) software update already released by Tesla (free of charge). Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on March 25, 2025.