Tesla Model S steering problems, 2016–2026
238 of the 1,842 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Tesla Model S 2016–2026 name the steering (NHTSA’s “Steering” heading — the steering column, rack, pump and power assist). The loudest years: 2016 (86), 2017 (48), 2021 (29). Filed under the same heading across these years: 4 recall campaigns. 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 S 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 1 | 17% | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 4 | 11% | — | 1 TSB | the year → |
| 2023 | 20 | 18% | — | 4 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2022 | 21 | 15% | — | 4 TSBs · 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2021 | 29 | 16% | — | 4 TSBs · 3 recalls | the year → |
| 2020 | 10 | 12% | — | 3 TSBs · 3 recalls | the year → |
| 2019 | 4 | 9% | — | 3 TSBs · 3 recalls | the year → |
| 2018 | 15 | 9% | — | 3 recalls | the year → |
| 2017 | 48 | 11% | 10k | 3 recalls | the year → |
| 2016 in depth | 86 | 13% | 5k | 6 TSBs · 3 recalls | the record → |
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: 2016: 30 · 2017: 22 · 2018: 14 · 2019: 6 · 2020: 13 · 2021: 25 · 2022: 26 · 2023: 27 · 2024: 42 · 2025: 21 · 2026: 12
Across the model years, half of the 87 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the steering problem between 2,000 and 12,000 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.
The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH, the auto pilot engaged on its own and the contact was unable to turn it off. As a result, the contact crashed into a barrier wall as he was able to place the vehicle back into manuel mode. The air bags failed to deploy.
Here is a thread on the Tesla motors club forum in which several posters provide detailed photographic evidence that the electric steering motor is falling apart due to corrosion.
I was pulling out of my garage when I had trouble turning the wheel and there was this cracking sound from the front of the car. I looked at the left front tire and there was a liner inside the wheel well that crumpled against the tire and the steering was not responding the way it should.
My car with nearly 17,621 miles only had a part come off the suspension system off drivers side. Appeared to be an aluminum part that cracked in half while pulling from the garage. This car never was in a wreck. The suspension failed and my tire backed into the plastic casing which eroded the tires causing extensive damage.
In several potentially dangerous situations I was unable to locate the unusually positioned horn signal in time to reduce the potential for an accident. In these situations an accident did not occur but the situation could have been made much safer if the horn switch was located in the center of the steering wheel (yoke).
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
- 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.
- 22V818000 HighNov 1, 2022 · 40,168 vehicles
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electronic power assist steering (EPAS) system may experience a loss of power steering assist when driving on rough roads or after hitting a pothole.
- 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.
- 18V204000 HighMar 29, 2018 · 70,421 vehicles
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Tesla Model S vehicles equipped with Bosch steering racks. The aluminum bolts that attach the power steering gear assist motor to the gear housing may corrode and fracture causing a reduction or complete loss of power steering assist.
Other systems with a record on the Tesla Model S
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Tesla Model S problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Tesla Model S years have the most steering complaints?
2016, 86; 2017, 48; 2021, 29. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2023 (18%).
Is there a recall for the steering on the Tesla Model S?
Yes — 4 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 23V085000 (2023), 22V818000 (2021), 22V037000 (2022), 18V204000 (2016). 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 S?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 5,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 2,000 and 12,000. 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.