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Tesla APP_w218

Autosteer speed limit exceeded Take control of steering wheel

Common search variants: APPw218 · APP-w218 · APP w218 · Search ignores case and common separators.

DriveYes. Verified Tesla owner-manual communications state that the vehicle is OK to drive in the meantime, provided the driver takes and maintains manual steering control as instructed.
ChargeNot yet established by verified evidence.
ServiceNot yet established by verified evidence for APP_w218. The supplied communications direct the driver to take control; they do not establish that service is required for this alert.
Confidence95%

Quick answer

APP_w218 means Autosteer is unavailable because the vehicle exceeded the maximum speed limit for that driver-assistance feature. Take immediate control of the steering wheel or yoke and maintain control until reaching your destination.

This page separates verified manufacturer/regulator evidence from supporting material. Unsupported causes, repairs or safety conclusions are not guessed.

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1. What does APP_w218 mean?

APP_w218 means Autosteer is unavailable because the vehicle exceeded the maximum speed limit for that driver-assistance feature. Take immediate control of the steering wheel or yoke and maintain control until reaching your destination.

2. Technical explanation

This is a Tesla OEM alert, not a conventional powertrain or charging fault code. Verified NHTSA-hosted Tesla owner-manual communications state that APP_w218 is triggered when the vehicle exceeds Autosteer’s maximum speed limit. Autosteer becomes unavailable, so the driver must steer manually. The supplied evidence states that, in most cases, Autosteer will not be available for the remainder of the drive.

3. What system is affected?

Autosteer / Autopilot driver-assistance steering function.

4. How serious is this code?

The database severity is listed as unknown. The alert requires immediate driver control because Autosteer is unavailable.

5. Symptoms you may notice

  • The display shows: “Autosteer speed limit exceeded Take control of steering wheel.”
  • Autosteer is unavailable.
  • Manual steering control is required immediately.
  • In most cases, Autosteer will not be available for the rest of the drive.

6. Possible causes

  • The vehicle exceeded the maximum speed limit for the Autosteer driver-assistance feature.

7. Can I still drive the vehicle?

Yes. Verified Tesla owner-manual communications state that the vehicle is OK to drive in the meantime, provided the driver takes and maintains manual steering control as instructed.

8. Can I charge the vehicle?

Not yet established by verified evidence.

9. What you can safely do

  • Take immediate control of the steering wheel or yoke.
  • Maintain manual steering control until you reach your destination.
  • Do not rely on Autosteer after the alert; verified evidence states it will usually be unavailable for the remainder of the drive.
  • Consult the Autosteer or Autopilot Features section of the applicable Tesla owner’s manual.

10. Step-by-step troubleshooting

  1. No owner-performed diagnostic procedure is established by the verified evidence.
  2. The verified response is to resume and maintain manual steering control after exceeding the feature’s maximum speed limit.

11. When to contact service

Not yet established by verified evidence for APP_w218. The supplied communications direct the driver to take control; they do not establish that service is required for this alert.

12. What the service center may check

  • Not yet established by verified evidence.

13. Possible repair or resolution

  • No repair or component replacement is established by verified evidence.
  • The documented resolution is manual control after Autosteer becomes unavailable due to exceeding its maximum speed limit.

14. Affected vehicles

15. Related TSBs / service bulletins

  • NHTSA-hosted Tesla owner-manual communication MC-10250484-9999 (published 2023-12-01) documents APP_w218, its meaning, and the instruction to take immediate control.
  • Additional NHTSA-hosted Tesla owner-manual communications in the supplied evidence repeat the same APP_w218 description, including MC-10253666-9999 (published 2024-03-27).

16. Recall information

  • Not yet established by verified evidence.

17. Official manufacturer information

Verified official information is available through NHTSA-hosted Tesla owner-manual communications, including https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10250484-9999.pdf and https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2024/MC-10253666-9999.pdf. Supplied applicability evidence covers US Tesla Model 3, Model S, Model X, and Model Y entries across overlapping year ranges from 2012 through 2024.

19. Frequently asked questions

What does Tesla alert APP_w218 mean?

It means Autosteer is unavailable because the vehicle exceeded the maximum speed limit for that driver-assistance feature.

What should I do when APP_w218 appears?

Take immediate control of the steering wheel or yoke and maintain control until reaching your destination.

Can I continue driving with APP_w218?

Yes. The verified owner-manual communications state that the vehicle is OK to drive in the meantime, but Autosteer is unavailable and the driver must maintain manual steering control.

Will Autosteer return during the same drive?

In most cases, no. Verified evidence states that Autosteer will not be available for the remainder of the drive.

Does APP_w218 affect charging?

Not yet established by verified evidence.

20. Sources & verification

Accepted ResearchVerified
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Tesla APP_w218: Autosteer speed limit exceeded Take control of… | EV Diagnostics