Tesla has issued an over-the-air software update to address a steering assist defect affecting approximately 200,000 Model Y vehicles from the 2025 and 2026 model years. The defect could cause the power steering assist to temporarily disengage during low-speed maneuvers.
NHTSA opened an investigation after receiving 89 complaints from owners describing sudden increases in steering effort while parking or navigating tight turns. Tesla's update recalibrates the steering control module and adds a driver warning system for the rare cases where assist reduction occurs.
The over-the-air recall approach continues to be a point of debate among safety regulators, with some arguing it represents an efficient fix model while others worry it normalizes shipping vehicles with software defects that require post-sale correction.
