Tesla voluntarily recalls Model S vehicles over power steering bolts

After complaints over the power steering bolts made by German supplier Bosch in its Model S sedans, Tesla Inc said on Thursday it was voluntarily recalling the sedans to replace the bolts.

Model S sedans built before April 2016 have been recalled.  

The bolts can begin to corrode after contact in cold temperatures with road salt. Some Tesla owners had complained about the issue on online forums.

In an email to customers, Tesla said it had observed "excessive corrosion" in the power steering bolts albeit in very cold climates and particularly those that frequently use calcium or magnesium road salts.

"We have observed excessive corrosion in the power steering bolts, though only in very cold climates, particularly those that frequently use calcium or magnesium road salts, rather than sodium chloride (table salt)," Tesla wrote in an email to customers.

Tesla clarified there were no accidents or injuries related to the issue and the recall was undertaken as a precautionary measure.

Were the bolts to fail, the driver would still able to steer the car but would need to use more force "due to loss or reduction of power assist," Tesla wrote.

A retrofit in Tesla service centers should take about an hour, Tesla said.

Some 123,000 Model S vehicles globally contain the bolts, Tesla said.