Tesla Model 3 steering problems, 2017–2027
262 of the 4,336 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Tesla Model 3 2017–2027 name the steering (NHTSA’s “Steering” heading — the steering column, rack, pump and power assist). The loudest years: 2023 (87), 2020 (46), 2024 (36). Filed under the same heading across these years: 3 recall campaigns, 2 NHTSA investigations. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Tesla Model 3 steering problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the steering | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 5 | 20% | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 25 | 21% | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 36 | 17% | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 in depth | 87 | 20% | — | 2 recalls · 2 investigations | the record → |
| 2022 | 36 | 5% | — | 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2021 | 27 | 4% | — | 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2020 | 46 | 10% | 2k | 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2019 | 0 | — | 10k | 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2018 | 0 | — | 11k | 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2017 | 0 | — | — | 2 recalls | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the steering. Nothing here is a rate.
When the steering complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2020: 7 · 2021: 10 · 2022: 14 · 2023: 71 · 2024: 69 · 2025: 62 · 2026: 29
Across the model years, half of the 63 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the steering problem between 3,000 and 27,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the steering, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
On 7/21/2023, I received an alert saying “steering assist reduced”. I could not turn the steering wheel. Luckily I was parked and trying to back out of my spot. The steering assist came back after getting in and out of the vehicle. Contacted Tesla about this and they told me to monitor the situation.
Steering rack failed. Not able to steer vehicle The consumer stated that the vehicle was repaired
While driving on the highway, the car suddenly alerted me that the steering assist was affected. The steering wheel became extremely stiff. To turn, it took two hands and quite a lot of strength. I pulled off onto an exit, turned the car off, then started it back. The steering worked properly the rest of the drive.
I was trying to avoid a car parked on the side of highway on my right going between 45 to 55 miles an hour and slightly steered the car to the left, and the car swerved back and forth at the slightest steering wheel movement as if skidding in the snow.
Steering wheel has buttons for turn signals (they removed stalks in 2024 model 3). I’ve had several dangerous incidents where the turn signal buttons have failed to activate. This caused me to panic and nearly get into an accident on several occasions. I brought in for service and they said this is a KNOWN problem with 2024 model 3.
What is on file about the steering, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 25V092000 HighFeb 14, 2025 · 376,241 vehicles
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles operating software prior to 2023.38.4. The printed circuit board for the electronic power steering assist may experience an overstress condition, causing a loss of power steering assist when the vehicle reaches a stop and then accelerates again.
- 23V085000 HighFeb 15, 2023 · 362,758 vehicles
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation. The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.
- 22V037000 HighJan 27, 2022 · 53,822 vehicles
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop.
NHTSA investigations
- EA24001 Loss of steering controlopened Feb 1, 2024 · closed Jun 25, 2026
- On July 28, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE23014) to investigate instances of loss of electronic power-assisted steering in MY 2023 Tesla Model 3 and MY 2023 Tesla Model Y vehicles manufactured by Tesla, Inc. The complaints allege a sudden and unexpected inability to turn the steering wheel or an increase in effort required to turn the steering w…
- PE23014 Loss of steering controlopened Jul 28, 2023 · closed Feb 5, 2024
- On July 28, 2023, The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE23-014) after receiving 12 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting loss of steering control in model years (MY) 2023 Tesla Model 3 and Y vehicles. During PE23-014, ODI interviewed complainants, sent an Information Request (IR) letter to Tesla, and convened technical meetings with Tesla that include…
Other systems with a record on the Tesla Model 3
Source: the same files- automatic emergency braking problems
- cruise control problems
- electrical problems
- brake problems
- airbag problems
- suspension problems
- seat belt problems
Every system, every model year: Tesla Model 3 problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Tesla Model 3 years have the most steering complaints?
2023, 87; 2020, 46; 2024, 36. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2025 (21%).
Is there a recall for the steering on the Tesla Model 3?
Yes — 3 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 25V092000 (2023), 23V085000 (2023), 22V037000 (2022). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do steering problems show up on the Tesla Model 3?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 9,500 miles across the model years; half of them between 3,000 and 27,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Steering" heading cover?
The steering column, rack, pump and power assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.