2023 Tesla Model Y steering problems
212 of the 1,167 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2023 Tesla Model Y name the steering (NHTSA’s “Steering” heading — the steering column, rack, pump and power assist). Filed under the same heading: 3 recalls, 3 NHTSA investigations. 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 database29 of the 212 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 21 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2023: 102 · 2024: 32 · 2025: 34 · 2026: 44
Too few of these complaints carry an odometer reading to say when the problem shows up.
1,167 complaints in all about the 2023 Tesla Model Y, 44 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.
We purchased the vehicle new approximately 2 weeks ago. After about a week, the steering wheel would lock up randomly. This occurred 6 times on different dates before we were able to get it to the Tesla service department. The vehicle currently remains at Tesla for the next 3 weeks while we await a new steering rack/motor.
Over the past few weeks, I have been experiencing significant problems with the steering wheel of my car. Upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel frequently locks or becomes exceedingly stiff, requiring significant physical effort to turn.
I was trying to make my way into a parking lot yesterday and my car was in a complete stop and I was making sure that the spot is a right one since I was in downtown Norfolk with its parking issue. I noticed a sudden acceleration of my vehicle and I obviously became terrified and just waiting for what will happen next.
April 22, 2023, at 7:00 pm: I stepped into the car at a local store parking lot and pushed my foot on the brake to unlock the vehicle. The wheel jerked hard right and made a thud. The screen warned that “Steering Assist Reduced” with an error code ui_a020. Power steering was disabled.
Upon receiving the car the steering wheel never matched the way the wheels pointed. The steering wheel needed to be around 10-15 degrees to the right to go straight. After 3 wheel alignment's, the steering wheel still isn't straight to get the car to travel straight, but having to keep the wheel 3 degrees to the right is better than 10…
What is on file about the steering
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecalls filed under this heading
- 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.
- 23V385000 CriticalMay 30, 2023 · 137 vehicles
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Model Y vehicles. The steering wheel fastener may be loose.
- 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.
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…
- PE23003 Steering Wheel Detachmentopened Mar 4, 2023 · closed Apr 24, 2026
- On March 4, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23003 to investigate two reports of steering loss on model year (MY) 2023 Tesla Model Y vehicles due to the detachment of the steering wheel from the steering column while the vehicle was in motion. ODI confirmed from Tesla that in both cases, the vehicles were delivered to the owners missing the retaining bolt (P/N 1036655-00-A)…
Other systems with a record on the 2023 Tesla Model Y
Source: the same files- automatic emergency braking problems 630 complaints
- cruise control problems 167 complaints
- suspension problems 127 complaints
- electrical problems 122 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre steering problems common on the 2023 Tesla Model Y?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 212 owner complaints naming the steering on this model year (18% of everything owners filed about it), and 3 recalls, 3 NHTSA investigations 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 2023 Tesla Model Y?
Yes — 3 campaigns are filed under this heading: 25V092000, 23V385000, 23V085000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do steering problems show up on the 2023 Tesla Model Y?
Too few of the complaints carry an odometer reading to say. The model year's page shows the mileage curve across every system where it can.
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.