Tesla Model Y steering problems, 2019–2027
465 of the 4,200 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Tesla Model Y 2019–2027 name the steering (NHTSA’s “Steering” heading — the steering column, rack, pump and power assist). The loudest years: 2023 (212), 2021 (93), 2022 (58). Filed under the same heading across these years: 4 recall campaigns, 3 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 Y 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 | 44 | 12% | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 8 | 8% | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 24 | 7% | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 in depth | 212 | 18% | — | 3 recalls · 3 investigations | the record → |
| 2022 in depth | 58 | 7% | — | 3 recalls | the record → |
| 2021 in depth | 93 | 9% | 2k | 2 recalls | the record → |
| 2020 | 26 | 9% | — | 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2019 | 0 | — | — | — | 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: 4 · 2021: 13 · 2022: 27 · 2023: 143 · 2024: 71 · 2025: 84 · 2026: 123
Across the model years, half of the 35 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the steering problem between 1,000 and 39,000 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.
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.
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
I was driving at 64 mph utilizing the Adaptive Cruise Control and Autosteer (Beta). I was in the first of a two lane divided highway with no vehicles within 1000 feet in front of me and several cars passing me on my left. Fortunately, I had both hands on the wheel at the 10 and 2 positions and have good arm strength.
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.
- 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.
- 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…
- 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 Tesla Model Y
Source: the same files- electrical problems
- automatic emergency braking problems
- cruise control problems
- suspension problems
- brake problems
- lane-keeping problems
Every system, every model year: Tesla Model Y problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Tesla Model Y years have the most steering complaints?
2023, 212; 2021, 93; 2022, 58. 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 Y?
Yes — 4 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 25V092000 (2023), 23V385000 (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 Y?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 3,500 miles across the model years; half of them between 1,000 and 39,000. 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.