2022 Tesla Model X Complaint
Steering
Filed September 1, 2023 · Incident date September 1, 2023
- Vehicle
- 2022 Tesla Model X
- Component(s)
- Steering
- Complaint filed
- September 1, 2023
- Date of incident
- September 1, 2023
- Reported VIN
- 7SAXCDE50NF
Owner's description
I'd like to report a safety concern. There are two issues. 1. the shape of the steering wheel, and 2. the location of the buttons and overall stalkless yoke. I have had this vehicle for a little over a year now, and there have been a number of times both issues could have caused a major accident. The first issue is the shape of the steering wheel. When driving normally, just every day driving, its not so much of an issue. But when you have to make quick, multiple emergency manuvers, the shape of the yoke (the fact that its not round'ish) is problematic. The yoke shape doesn't allow for quick maneuvers that you'd expect in emergency scenarios. The second issue has to do with the location of the high beams and the horn specifically, but could see other buttons being problematic for people with smaller hands than I have. I have attached several pictures with and without my own hands (for reference, I'm 6' tall with a medium build and proportional hand size.) As you can see, my thumbs aren't able to reach the high beam and horn buttons without moving my hands. Additionally, they aren't actually buttons and no way to know if my finger/thumb is in the correct place without looking at the yoke/wheel. This is problematic, because drivers would need to use those buttons quickly. Also, the high beam button isn't really user friendly. When trying to switch to high beams, you have to hold the button for a period of time, and it doesn't always work. Both of these issues are problematic and I recommend a review, as I'm seeing not only tesla with this steering wheel/yoke design, but have seen Lexus with the yoke design too. I work in the DC area and willing to bring my Tesla Model X to show your team so you can evalute the issue first hand. Thanks for your consideration
Check a specific vehicle
Enter your VIN to see all NHTSA complaints, recalls, and safety ratings for that exact vehicle.
Related
Data sourced from the NHTSA Complaints database. Complaints are submitted by vehicle owners and have not been independently verified.