Tesla Model 3 Recall R/2020/130: The Upper Steering Column Bolt May Not Have Been Fitted, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 7 May 2020
- Launched
- 5
- vehicles in the UK
- R/2020/130
- DVSA reference
Tesla recalled Model 3 vehicles built between 10 January 2020 and 5 February 2020. The upper steering column bolt may not have been fitted. The dealer will inspect the upper steering column bolt fitment and replace where necessary. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
The upper steering column bolt may not have been fitted.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN BOLT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FITTED Defect: The upper steering column bolt may not have been fitted. Remedy: Inspect the upper steering column bolt fitment and replace where necessary.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: the upper steering column bolt may not have been fitted.
The Fix
The dealer will inspect the upper steering column bolt fitment and replace where necessary.
Are You Affected?
Model 3 built between 10 January 2020 and 5 February 2020 may be included. Tesla estimates 5 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Tesla, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Tesla.
- Book with any franchised Tesla dealer, quoting the DVSA reference R/2020/130. See how to get a Tesla recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model 3, Model X, Model YLoss of rearview camera display recall | Book soon | R/2025/049 | |
| Model 3, Model YUpdate vehicle software to rectify EPAS functionality | Urgent | R/2025/104 | |
| Model 3, Model YUpdate vehicle software to correct TPMS behaviour | Book soon | R/2025/002 | |
| Model 3In certain conditions the user interface (ui ) on affected vehicles displays vehicle speed but not a unit of speed(i.e mph or km/h) | Low | R/2022/120 | |
| Model 3, Model YA loss of low voltage system support may cause the audio subsystem to be unavailable | Book soon | R/2022/131 |
This is one of 26 Tesla recalls in DVSA’s data. The Tesla recall launched before it was R/2019/006 on 11 Jan 2019, for the propellant in the front passenger airbag inflator may degrade over time. The one launched after it was R/2021/031 on 1 Feb 2021, for when the emmc reaches accumulated lifetime wear the customer may experience a blank centre…. You can also see every Tesla recall, the Tesla Model 3 recall history, all recalls launched in 2020 and steering recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2020/130, launched 7 May 2020. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.