My Tesla Model S has a touch-sensitive horn button on the right side of the steering wheel. In urgent situations, I've often had difficulty quickly locating it to get another driver's attention. Tesla quoted me $1800 to replace the steering wheel with a model that has the horn in the center, like most other cars. This is a safety concern because owners shouldn't have to pay to move the horn for safety reasons. Tesla should be required to retrofit any model with a touch button for the horn to one with the horn in the center of the steering wheel.
NHTSA complaint #11756007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Castle, DE
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I feel Tesla has introduced two safety issues with a recent version of software relating to the "Full Self Driving (Supervised)" feature. Issue #1. When disengaging the Full Self Driving ("FSD") software, Tesla positions a dialog box over the main center display screen. The box takes up a fairly large portion of space. The purpose of the box is to provide feedback on the reason for disengaging FSD. This dialog box does not dismiss by itself. The only way for the user to dismiss it is to tap one of the 4 options presented or leave a voice message. This is an unnecessary distraction that in no way is required for the user to operate the vehicle. Tesla is mandating feedback and introducing distractions when users take over control of the vehicle for their sole benefit. It is also akin to a penalty for disabling FSD, as it a generally negative experience for most people. Issue #2. Tesla has introduced a mandatory "FSD Streak" counter. This number appears on the smaller instrumentation screen for the S & X models. The counter counts the number of miles consecutively traveled by FSD. When a driver disables FSD for any reason, the counter resets to 0. The gamification of keeping FSD enabled is a major safety issue. Some people are highly susceptible to increasing this number as high as possible as if it were a video game. In situations where they should likely disable FSD and make manual control, there are inevitably users that will hesitate or maybe even not take control at all because they do not want to reset the counter. Tesla does not have any options to disable or remove this counter, so even people who know they are susceptible to this cannot remove it. This is akin to placing an open beer in the car and saying people will not drink it because they have self control... only - as we know, addiction is a disease, and games are just as addicting as many substances.
NHTSA complaint #11743804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Los Angeles, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have been consistently at risk since I picked up my car in late December 2023. The Horn icon which is impossible for older people to see, especially at night, is located in a place that is very hard to find on the steering wheel and unintuitive. Just yesterday, a large truck was coming around the corner near my house in my lane in the opposite direction and I could not find the horn to honk. It was another near miss. Interestingly, Tesla changed the design and put the horn in the middle of the steering wheel where it belongs starting in January 2024 just a few days after I picked up my car. I need the Horn in an intuitive place in the middle of the steering wheel for my safety and the safety of the other people on the road I believe Tesla should pay to change out the steering wheel
NHTSA complaint #11736794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westmont, IL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My car had a software update last night. This morning, there is now a forced "feedback" prompt that comes on the information screen whenever I disengage the autopilot. This prompt grays out the rest of the screen and does not disappear until I manually select a feedback option. This forced prompt is very distracting, requiring manual user input to get rid of, which makes driving distracting and dangerous.
NHTSA complaint #11734662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saddle River, NJ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The horn is a little button on the steering wheel. Tesla has since switched to a center horn. I assume this is due to safety concern that accessing the horn during a panicked situation is difficult. I have almost been in a few accidents as it is impossible to find the horn while evading a potential accident. Tesla will not modify my vehicle as a safety related issue and instead wants to charge almost 2,000. This should be a recall. Tesla switched back to a center horn, a clear admission that there is a design flaw. How they can't modify a vehicle under a recall is ludicrous.
NHTSA complaint #11707197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kentfield, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
needed to honk the horn to alert another driver of impending collision but the small button, now located to the right of the center of the steering wheels, is too hard to locate in a quick emergency situation. you look away , miss the button and set off wipers instead.,... shd be put back as pushable center
NHTSA complaint #11694180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
For 2023, Tesla has put the horn on the steering wheel. It's a tiny button on the right side. When you are in a very precarious situation and you have to honk without thought, it is impossible to find it quickly. I have been almost hit several times because I couldn't honk. I am scared and it is dangerous. In 2024, they moved it back to where it belongs because they knew it was an issue. I have asked to have my steering wheel replaced to have the correct and safe horn and they said that they wouldn't unless it was a recall. I think this should be recalled. It is unsafe.
NHTSA complaint #11664349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Destin, FLCrash
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally report a significant safety concern with the design of the steering wheel horn mechanism in my Tesla vehicle. The horn is not activated by pressing the center of the steering wheel, as is standard in most vehicles. Instead, it is operated via a small button located on the wheel itself, measuring approximately 1/2 inch by 1/4 inch. This design poses a serious safety risk. In emergency situations that require an immediate and instinctive response—such as warning another driver or preventing a collision—locating and pressing this small button requires visual attention. This necessitates taking my eyes off the road during critical moments, thereby increasing the likelihood of accidents. I have experienced multiple near-miss incidents and one collision directly related to the inability to quickly locate and activate the horn. When I contacted Tesla to request a replacement with the newer steering wheel design (which addresses this issue), I was quoted approximately $3,000 for the replacement. Upon calling to discuss the concern, I was told that I "knew about the design when I purchased the vehicle" and was advised to simply "get used to it." I believe this is an inherent design flaw that compromises driver safety. The horn is a fundamental vehicle safety feature and should be intuitive and instantly accessible without requiring the driver to divert attention from the road. I respectfully request that this issue be investigated as a potential violation of basic vehicle safety standards. I also urge Tesla to provide a remedy to owners affected by this unsafe design without imposing prohibitive costs. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11663627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Apex, NC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On May 3, 2025, at approximately 2:00 PM EDT, while driving a 2023 Tesla Model S on a busy highway in a high-density retail area, a vehicle suddenly pulled out from a driveway into the vehicle’s path, requiring an immediate honk to alert the driver. Due to muscle memory, the center airbag cover of the standard steering wheel was pressed, expecting the horn to sound, as is typical in most vehicles. However, the Model S uses a small capacitive horn button on the right side of the steering wheel, which could not be located quickly. The failure to honk in this critical moment necessitated a swerve to the left to avoid a collision, nearly causing an accident with another vehicle in the adjacent lane, which was fortunately a few feet behind. The capacitive horn button’s design is counterintuitive and hazardous, requiring precise pressing that often distracts from driving. This incident nearly resulted in a serious collision due to the delayed response caused by the horn’s placement. Previous experiences include accidentally activating windshield wipers when attempting to honk, increasing distraction. A prior complaint was filed with NHTSA about this issue, noting Tesla’s 2022 statement that vehicles built after November 2021 would receive a software update to enable a center horn. This vehicle, built in December 2022, lacks the necessary hardware, and Tesla has offered only a costly retrofit as a solution. This design flaw poses a significant safety risk by violating intuitive driving habits. NHTSA is urged to investigate the Tesla Model S steering wheel’s horn design and mandate a recall or free retrofit to install a mechanical center horn, aligning with standard vehicle safety expectations.
NHTSA complaint #11659938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seattle, WA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was nearly sideswiped and instinctively pressed the center of the steering wheel to honk my horn. However, this vehicle only has a touch-sensitive horn button. In an emergency, where milliseconds count, it's extremely dangerous to have to fumble around for a touch button instead of using the control that every car has had for decades. In this case, I was fortunate to be able to evade the inattentive driver, but this is a massive safety hazard that warrants a recall.
NHTSA complaint #11656893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palm City, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The Tesla Model S yoke with no horn in the center of the steering wheel is a safety hazard. The button on the steering wheel for the horn is not in a standard location and is difficult or impossible to find in an emergency without looking at the steering wheel. Twice I have tried to honk my horn at a motorist to avoid a collision, only to be met with silence.
NHTSA complaint #11647313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kansas City, MO
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The horn button is very small and difficult to find in an emergency. The absence of a mechanical button has nearly resulted in two collisions when I am not able to alert another driver. Knowing this safety hazard, Tesla’s newer cars have a large mechanical button in the center of the steering wheel. They will not retrofit this for less than $1,800.
NHTSA complaint #11642828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Tesla has relocated the horn from the center hub where it has been on vehicles since the beginning of time, to a very small icon on the steering wheel cross-member. It's simply impossible to find this little icon in an emergency. I've already had almost three accidents because of this. They need to put the horn on the center hub like it's been on vehicles for decades so people can quickly use it versus looking for it when they have to take their eyes off the road in order to use it. Additionally, when it's on the cross member and you're turning the wheel the little icon turns with it then it's even harder to find.
NHTSA complaint #11631033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roseville, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have now had three near accidents (fortunately avoided) and have been unable to warn drivers of the other vehicles because the horn in my 2023 Tesla Model S is not located in the center of the wheel, but instead is small button on the right side of the steering wheel. The horn is used so little and the horn has been in the center of all vehicles for decades that learning to change ones motor skills especially at a moments notice is difficult, if not impossible. I'm not sure how Tesla was able to get approval from government safety agencies to move the horn on the steering wheel. I decided to submit this complaint when the last incident happened as I was turning at a light and because my current horn is on the right side of the steering wheel, I couldn't find it as it turns with the wheel. While the horn has not created an accident, it is necessary to avoid one and currently Tesla's horn is useless and should be recalled.
NHTSA complaint #11631099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Henderson, NV
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The horn location is a button to the right of the center airbag on the steering wheel. It is small, difficult to find when under stress and needed. Impossible to find when in a turn. In the past 10 months I have had multiple occasions needed to alert another vehicle of an unsafe situation, and have never been able to activate the horn when needed. This is simply not safe. My car is a 2023 Model S. I noticed that Tesla did change this s few months after I purchased my vehicle. They should fix the cars, like mine that have the poorly positioned horn activation button to the middle.
NHTSA complaint #11620961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Medina, OH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Tesla has not provided software updates for the 3 recalls listed for my VIN. Each time I ask them about the issue, they indicate my vehicle has the latest software update, but it does not.
NHTSA complaint #11617355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Jose, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This vehicle has a small button on the steering wheel to actuate the horn, instead of part of the center airbag (as most modern vehicles.) In the ten months I’ve owned this car, I have experienced numerous situations where I tried to use the horn in an urgently evolving situation, but could not as I could not instinctively find the horn button. I have complained to Tesla that I view this issue as a safety concern. I know they recognize this, as all new cars manufactured since January 1st of this year now have the horn as part of the airbag. Their response to me has been to purchase the new horn and airbag, at a cost of over $2,200. I firmly believe this should be a recall situation, as the present system does not allow easy, instinctive use of a primary safety device.
NHTSA complaint #11615854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The horn is not in the correct place. The center of the steering wheel hub. In any accident scenario, your instincts fail and you wind up hitting the airbag with no result. This is. Design defect.
NHTSA complaint #11609692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Camarillo, CACrash
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
There is a design flaw with the horn on the steering yoke. It is not easily located especially in times of stress or eminent collision. I have been driving for 50 years and all horns in my past vehicles have horns in the center of the steering wheel. Last April, I was backing up in a parking lot and through the rear camera, I saw a car behind me backing up. I stopped my car and could not get to the horn quick enough to alert the other diver and he continued to back up and he backed into my car causing $3,500 in damage. Yesterday, I was driving, and someone made a very unsafe turn that needed a horn to alert them, and I could not find the little button on the yoke to activate the horn. Yesterday's event, a near miss caused me to file this notice, although I should have done it sooner. Not as much of an issue, but the turn indicators are buttons too, and it is confusing to use them as opposed to a strike. I find myself not using the indicators as much in situations requiring a quicker need, typically like on the freeway. NHTSA should consider making all horns to be in the center of the steering wheel and all turn indicators to be strikes.
NHTSA complaint #11604825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Longwood, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have owned a 2023 Model S Plaid for 6 months. I like the vehicle overall but it has 2 features that are actually dangerous. 1) Horn - There is a small hepatic area on the right of the steering wheel that engages the horn. It is impossible to find and press in an emergency situation. One has to take their eyes off the road to find the area before attempting to press it. Even then it is small and can still be missed. Their have been multiple times my car was almost hit because I could not use the horn to warn people in time. Tesla has now moved the horn to the middle of the steering wheel but will not retroactively fix this for existing customers. This will 100% cause unnecessary accidents. 2) Turn signals These are also small hepatic spots on the steering wheel next to each other. You have to look down to find them and pressing the wrong side signal is a common occurrence. This is also dangerous and requires user to take their eyes off the road to find.
NHTSA complaint #11604435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Altos Hills, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Tesla changed their steering wheel on later models because they know that not having the horn in the center of the steering wheel is very dangerous. Several times I tried to honk my horn in dangerous situations and I missed the horn icon and turned on the windshield wipers instead whose icon is next to it.There should be a recall of the older style steering wheels!
NHTSA complaint #11603511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Encinitas, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
i am reporting a dangerous design of the horn button on my and many other Teslas. The horn activation has been moved from the standard "center of the steering wheel" to a small button on the right brace of the steering wheel (the brace goes from the center of the wheel to the outer periphery). It is a most unnatural spot for a horn that is mostly used in emergency situations (e.g., a car doesn't see you) where speed to activation is critical. (I have yet to hit the little button the first time when I really needed the horn.) Even worse, if you are in the process of turning when you need the horn, its location could be anywhere! It depends on how much the steering wheel is turned! I mostly love my Tesla, but this seemingly minor issue is pretty, pretty bad. I bet it is already causing accidents - I was lucky the other car saw me just in time. And the horn button was NOT an option - Tesla trashed the center horn to save $$.
NHTSA complaint #11603466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tulsa, OK
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The horn on my car is triggered by a small flat electric "button" on the right side of the steering wheel. There is no horn when you hit the middle of the steering wheel. It is very difficult (and unsafe) to quickly react to a situation when you have to look down to find the horn. When backing out of a parking spot, the horn moves to my left side due to the wheel being turned. Several times, I have almost been hit in a parking lot because I can not quickly find the horn, and my muscle memory is to quickly hit the middle of the steering wheel. I have never had a car where the horn was not located in the middle of the wheel, and I have owned and driven many cars. This week, I was on a highway, and the car next to me began to move into my lane. My muscle memory hit the middle of the wheel, which of course did not work, and so I had to slam my breaks hard to keep from being hit. If I could have hit the horn in a fast and easy manner, the other car would have moved back into its lane. If there had been someone behind me, I likely would have been rear-ended from breaking so abruptly. I have had the car for more than a year, so I reject the idea that I will "just get used to it". Please look into this and request that Tesla recall and replace the steering wheel for all of their vehicles that have this horn arrangement.
NHTSA complaint #11601284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dresher, PA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When driving I was cut off and reached for the horn. Due to the small button for the horn and the replacement, I couldn't use the horn in the emergency and almost had a very bad accident Tesla refuses to fix the problem
NHTSA complaint #11595765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Perksie, PA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The steering wheel Tesla is using is causing a lot of safety concerns. The horn is now a button and not located in the center of the steering wheel. It's not very easy to find, especially in a stressful situation.
NHTSA complaint #11595486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
La Mesa, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The horn on this car is a small button next to the windshield wiper button. I had a truck cut me off and tried to honk the horn and I pushed the windshield wiper button by mistake. The horn requires you to use your thumb and is very difficult to use in an emergency situation. My car is a 2023 with the steering wheel horn set up and now the 2024 Tesla model S has fixed this problem with a regular horn. I would like my steering wheel replaced with the 2024 steering wheel that has fixed this problem. Thank you.
NHTSA complaint #11593197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Agoura Hills, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This model has a small horn button on the right hand side of the steering wheel, rather than the traditional location of a large horn in the middle of the steering wheel. This is a VERY dangerous location for a feature that needs to be easily and quickly located to prevent dangerous accidents. The main use of a horn is to warn another driver that they may hit you. With a small button in the right side of the steering wheel, it's not possible to have to look down onto the steering wheel and find the button when encountering these dangerous situations. Tesla has since changed the steering wheel, moving the horn to the center of the steering wheel, however, there are a number of Tesla cars, like mine, which still have this issue. I believe these cars should be recalled and Tesla should replace the steering wheel free of charge so it is safe.
NHTSA complaint #11592339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sarasota, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The horn button is located on the side of the steering wheel spoke, extremely difficult to find, especially in an emergency. I have had several incidents in which I was unable to locate the small button when needed to avoid a collision.
NHTSA complaint #11587618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Berkeley, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The Tesla has a very tiny horn button that is not in the center of the steering wheel. The button is off to the right with other buttons for the wipers and auto cruise. It is extremely hard to find in normal situations, but impossible to find in emergency situations because the button moves with the steering wheel. Someone tried to change lanes into me. I could not both honk and avoid him. Very scary and dangerous. I thought you should know.
NHTSA complaint #11587733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chesterfield, MO
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The horn activation placement is not in the center of the steering wheel under the pad. It is on a thumb activated button to the right side of the wheel. It is a design flaw which was changed due to the negative fallout with the 2024 car model. Tesla wants over $2000 to correct this safety hazard. I have had several times when a panic use of the horn was missed due to it not being placed where it has been since the invention of the automobile. Thanks for your time in this matter. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11586722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.