For those of us who prefer the yoke and want one on the June-2025+ LR (non-Plaid) S/X, you can’t order the Yoke from Tesla, nor will they install one. In addition, the airbag is different between the round and the yoke. (May-2026)
The Caution • Possible Issues • Tools • Parts • Tips
The Caution
The Tesla service manual states for replacement of the yoke steering wheel:
CAUTION
DO NOT install the steering yoke on 2025+ Model S and Model X Long Range versions built after May 2025, as they are incompatible with each other. The steering yoke can be fitted to 2025+ Model S and Model X Plaid versions.
Possible Issues
- Mechanical – Darkula56 has swapped it out and has it functioning without changing the configuration. It did require changing the airbag frame, but it’s unclear where the airbag came from. Vcor also did a swap. The yoke (mechanical horn design) included the airbag and needed no modifications. The old original Yoke (with capacitive touch horn) is NOT compatible with the 2026 LR.
- Electrical – The connections are identical. There are 3 explosive squibs for the airbag, but checking the schematic shows no difference between the 2021 SOP14 and the 2026 SOP17 schematics. There are no schematic differences electrically between the yoke and the round steering wheel, nor LR vs. Plaid.
- Crash Testing – It’s possible Tesla has to crash test each design, and didn’t want to bother with the Yoke LR, and only did the tests with the Plaid for both the Round and Yoke. This may not be a safety issue, but it could be a legal one for Tesla to sell it without crash testing.
- Safety – The yoke/round configurations might alter how the airbag is fired during a crash. It could be that the timing is different between the yoke and the round steering wheel airbag. In the service menu on pre-2026 cars, it specifically states that the selection between yoke and round only changes the UI.
- Marketing – Perhaps Tesla wanted people to move up to the Plaid, and the vehicle’s configurator doesn’t allow a Yoke for the LR variant. In this case, it’s only a UI issue, where in several places, such as steering controls, it displays a round wheel or yoke.
Tools
Recommended tools you should have on hand before you start:
- Two small flat head screwdrivers with a head no more than 4mm wide. These are used to release the airbag and to help release the connector clips.
- A 1/2″ breaker bar at least 24″ long. This is used to remove and later install the steering bolt.
- An H10 bit 1/2″ socket.
- In the Tesla Service Portal – the Service Information: 2021+ Service Manual, search for: “Steering Yoke/Wheel (Remove and Replace)”. Select the “Expand All” tab to see all the instructions.
Parts
The 2021+ LR/Plaid and the 2026 Plaid show the identical part numbers for the yoke, 1965131-00-F. The Round wheel has identical part numbers for all 2021-2026 models as 1965073-00-F. The yoke part variants (i.e., 1965073-00-A to F) use the mechanical horn and improved cover.
Tesla does not appear to sell the prior yoke model that had a capacitive touch horn button and a cover that did not wear well over time (the 1622612-00 series).
When replacing the steering wheel, yoke, or round, Tesla recommends always replacing the bolt, 1036655-00-A. It’s only $1, although they are only sold by Tesla in lots of 25.
The yoke airbag assembly is p/n 1965182-00-C.
These parts were researched in May 2026. Check with the Parts Catalog for possible newer part numbers.
Tips
To release the airbag, you’ll need a thin rod (best) or a flat screwdriver no more than 4mm wide. It snaps when each side releases. You are pressing on a thick, round wire, so a Phillips screwdriver will not work, and a flat head screwdriver in the wrong orientation will not work either. Aligning the flat-head with the steering column should work.
Getting the steering wheel electrical connectors to release was a pain. There are two latches on the connector that have to be squeezed in with a couple of small screwdrivers at the same time. Even then, they really didn’t want to release.
You will need a good breaker bar. It’s made a bit more difficult as the steering wheel is not locked in place, so you have to hold the steering wheel while trying to break the bolt free. Having two people would make it easier. It was also tough to get 80 Nm of torque when installing the new bolt for the same reason. Use brand new bolts as Tesla recommends.
Take a photo of the part number of the airbag and steering wheel. If you want to change the UI for Yoke to Round or Round to Yoke on a pre-2026 car, you’ll need the airbag part number, as it is required in the service menu to switch steering types. The option does not exist on the 2026 LR service menu, so you’ll have to live with a round icon instead of a yoke icon. You do this UI change in the Service Mode, under the suspension selection.
