We had a similar fault arise with our M3 LR 2021 (18,000 miles) on 2 March whilst in southern France. Approaching Aix-en-Provence on the motorway, the steering assist reduced warning came on first, followed over a period of miles by brake boost fault detected, ABS, traction control, vehicle hold not available and air bag warnings. Then the headlights started going from low to high bean randomly, as observed by plisken, with the indicators operating erratically. The steering and brakes actually seemed to drive OK, despite the colourful warning lights appearing on the touchscreen.
We called Tesla support on the UK number in the app. The agent suggested a power off reset but this did not change anything. Luckily, this was a Thursday evening and there is a Tesla SC on the edge of Aix. The UK agent suggested we drive cautiously to the SC if steering and brakes seemed normal, otherwise recovery to the SC could be arranged if needed.
We stayed overnight at the Ibis hotel at the Aix supercharger and limped to the SC on Friday morning. The diagnostics indicated a new steering rack assembly and main front wiring loom were required. The SC staff member we talked to said this was not a failure they normally see on the M3 (there are a lot of M3’s in the Aix/Marseille area) though they have seen it on MY’s.
The initial timescale estimate was 3 days to get the parts from the Netherlands distribution centre (no Brexit issues, apparently, even for a RHD rack) and 2 days to do the work. In the event, it took 5 days to get the parts and then 3 days to do the work, 10 calendar days overall. The SC also did retrofit work to insulate a/c low pressure pipe and replace O-ring on boot lift power strut. This was all no-cost warranty work. We were given an M3 LR 2020 loaner with free supercharge, so local Tesla supported us quite well.
Fortunately in this case, both my wife and I are retired and we could stay longer where we stay 30 miles from Aix, an area we know well, without major consequences. Once we had our car back, it seemed as before. The 835 mile drive back to the UK was uneventful.
I have mixed feelings from this experience. On the one hand, Tesla support worked well cross-border: we were able to contact a UK support agent; the Aix SC handled our case in the way the agent indicated the SC would and should. On the other hand, it unsettles confidence in the car. We have a road trip to Norway planned for May/June where the domino effect of such a failure could have major impacts, the only comfort being that our route passes near several SC’s.
