Tesla recall 123,000 Model S cars, largest Tesla recall ever

It hasn't been a good ride this week for Tesla, with the electric car company now issuing a recall for 123,000 Model S electric vehicles that were built before April 2016.

Tesla's Model S vehicles made before April 2016 have issues with corrosion in the bolts that hold the power steering system together, which as you can imagine, is a big deal. The company has been busy sending out affected Model S owners emails, explaining the recall and that replacing the bolts would be an hour long process.

This new Model S recall is the biggest in Tesla history, where back in 2016 the company recalled 50,000 electric cars over parking brake problems, while 90,000 cars were recalled in 2015 over seat belt problems. Tack this onto the end of Tesla stock being down earlier this week and now more with the news of the recall, and it's not looking good.

As for the recall, Tesla said in a statement: "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). Nonetheless, Tesla plans to replace all early Model S power steering bolts in all climates worldwide to account for the possibility that the vehicle may later be used in a highly corrosive environment".

Tesla continued: "If the bolts fail, the driver is still able to steer the car, but increased force is required due to loss or reduction of power assist. This primarily makes the car harder to drive at low speeds and for parallel parking, but does not materially affect control at high speed, where only small steering wheel force is needed".