2021 Tesla Model Y steering problems
93 of the 1,080 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Tesla Model Y name the steering (NHTSA’s “Steering” heading — the steering column, rack, pump and power assist). Filed under the same heading: 2 recalls. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the steering
Source: NHTSA complaint database10 of the 93 reports a crash · 1 a fire · 6 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2021: 11 · 2022: 15 · 2023: 23 · 2024: 11 · 2025: 9 · 2026: 24
Half of the 13 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the steering problem between 0 and 8,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
1,080 complaints in all about the 2021 Tesla Model Y, 24 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Steering” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Tesla Model Y steering problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the steering. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
If you turn the steering wheel in a Tesla Model 3/Y all the way to either direction then apply light force the car will slowly start to push back with a lot of force till the wheel reaches about 45°. At that point if you try to turn the wheel in either direction you will be unable to as it completely locks up for a few seconds.
While driving, suddenly power steering failed. Impossible to steer for my wife who was driving, I am barely able to steer it. Shut off the veh and let it sit for a couple of hours and it started working. Have had it happen 3 times. Scared to drive it. Extremely hazardous situation
11/29/23: vehicle begins to flash warning alerts (e.g., traction control disabled, lane departure warning unavailable), then power steering stopped working, and brakes pulsed violently when used (almost like ABS was active). Software update was available shortly thereafter, assumed this would remedy the situation.
Backing out of garage and driveway & heard loud pop. Immediately stopped, put into drive and moved out of street, approx 6' (with car making awful noise and terrible steering wheel feel).. Exited vehicle and observed that drivers side front wheel was aimed straight but passenger side was aimed 20+ degrees inwards.
Heard loud clicking noises upfront when turning hard out of parking spot. Immediately I Checked front wheels manually on looseness, but could not detect any movement. Decided to drive home (20miles).I was very careful not to steer to hard through curves.
What is on file about the steering
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecalls filed under this heading
- 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.
Other systems with a record on the 2021 Tesla Model Y
Source: the same files- automatic emergency braking problems 846 complaints
- brake problems 182 complaints
- cruise control problems 161 complaints
- electrical problems 149 complaints
- lane-keeping problems 93 complaints
- suspension problems 77 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre steering problems common on the 2021 Tesla Model Y?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 93 owner complaints naming the steering on this model year (9% of everything owners filed about it), and 2 recalls are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the steering on the 2021 Tesla Model Y?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading: 23V085000, 22V037000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do steering problems show up on the 2021 Tesla Model Y?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 2,500 miles; half of them between 0 and 8,000. 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.