457 of the
7,503 complaints filed about the Tesla Model Y
are about the steering —
100% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2023.
I own a 2023 Tesla Model Y (VIN: [XXX]) equipped with Full Self-Driving and Hardware 3 (HW3) computer. Over the last couple of years, while using Autopilot/FSD, my vehicle has repeatedly exhibited phantom braking, including sometimes coming to a complete stop for no reason. My vehicle has also swerved into the lane of oncoming traffic on many occasions. On one occasion, this happened three separate times in one day, and the following day the vehicle swerved off the side of the road while FSD was engaged. I have reported these incidents to Tesla Service repeatedly for years, including photos of related screen malfunctions and "What Happened" incident data, documented in the Tesla app as well as in-person at service center visits. August 2026 was the first time Tesla told my husband and me that this was a known hardware/software (Hardware 3) issue, despite years of prior reports. Tesla has given conflicting information about whether a hardware upgrade is possible: I was told the HW3 computer cannot be upgraded and was encouraged to purchase a new vehicle instead, while a service representative separately mentioned a $3,000 upgrade option that "probably wouldn't fix the issue anyway." I am concerned this vehicle poses an ongoing risk of a head-on collision or road departure to myself and other drivers. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11762976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2021 Tesla Model Y developed a steering system/EPAS fault identified in Tesla Service Mode as EPAS3P_a072_motFeedFwdError, along with UI_a020 Steering Assist Reduced. Tesla diagnosed the vehicle as requiring replacement of the steering rack/EPAS assembly. Tesla informed me in writing that the vehicle may experience intermittent or complete loss of electronic steering assistance, that the vehicle is not operating within manufacturer safety specifications, and that Tesla advises against operating the vehicle until the steering rack is replaced. Tesla also confirmed that there is currently no applicable recall or service campaign for my VIN. I am reporting this because failure or loss of electronic power steering assistance presents a significant safety concern, particularly if steering assistance is lost unexpectedly while the vehicle is being operated. Vehicle: 2021 Tesla Model Y VIN: 5YJYGDEE6MF207395 Mileage: approximately 129,281 Tesla diagnostic fault: EPAS3P_a072_motFeedFwdError Related alert: UI_a020 Steering Assist Reduced I request that NHTSA review this complaint and determine whether similar steering/EPAS failures are occurring in other Model Y vehicles and whether this represents a broader safety defect.
NHTSA complaint #11762861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving, I heard a loud noise every time I turned the wheel. When I called the service center, it took weeks to get an appointment, so the vehicle had to be towed in. Once inspected, Tesla found the front lower lateral link had detached because a bolt securing it was not fully tightened at the factory during assembly; over time it worked loose and fell off, which was the noise I'd heard. The left front wheel was visibly angled out and severely misaligned (alignment report available). Tesla replaced the front lower lateral link pair and performed a four-wheel alignment. The service advisor told me this was not the first time he had seen this specific failure. Before I insisted on an explanation, staff indicated the car's own diagnostics were not flagging anything wrong. I'm concerned this could cause loss of steering control while driving, including at freeway speed, with no advance warning to the driver. This appears to match open NHTSA investigation PE26006.
NHTSA complaint #11762801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The electronic power steering (EPAS) system/steering gear malfunctioned. Tesla diagnosed fault code EPAS3P_A072_mot and recommended replacement of the steering gear/rack, part number 1188832-00-B. The vehicle is currently available for inspection upon request. If the steering gear is replaced, I will request that the failed component be retained or otherwise made available for inspection if possible.The vehicle displayed a warning stating “Steering Assist Reduced Steering May Require Increased Effort.” A reduction or loss of electronic power steering assistance could require significantly greater steering effort and could affect the driver's ability to safely maneuver the vehicle, particularly during turns, low-speed maneuvers, or an emergency maneuver. I was concerned that the steering assistance could further deteriorate or fail unexpectedly while driving, putting the driver, passengers, and other road users at risk.The problem was confirmed by a Tesla Service Center. Tesla diagnosed fault code EPAS3P_A072_mot and determined that the steering gear/rack requires replacement. Tesla recommended the replacement of the steering gear part number 1188832-00-B and provided an estimate of approximately $3200.The vehicle was inspected by Tesla technicians at the Tesla Service Center. I specifically asked Tesla to determine whether a pothole impact could have caused the steering rack failure. After inspecting the vehicle, Tesla informed me in writing that its technicians did not observe any signs of impact damage and that Tesla does not believe the pothole incident caused the current steering rack failure. The vehicle has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives. The vehicle displayed the warning message “Steering Assist Reduced / Steering May Require Increased Effort.” The warning first appeared on or about 8-25-26 at approximately 136K miles. I subsequently brought the vehicle to Tesla for diagnosis, where Tesla identified fault code EPAS3P,recommends rep
NHTSA complaint #11762166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2023 Tesla Model Y suffered a critical factory safety defect: under-torqued front suspension lateral link bolts, causing dangerous clunking noises under Autopilot. The official Tesla Invoice verified the defect and noted it was re-torqued to spec. Crucially, a close friend owning an identical 2023 Model Y in [XXX] experienced the exact same suspension noise. Upon inspecting his car, the Littleton facility attempted to exploit his lack of information by issuing a deceptive out-of-pocket diagnosis estimate of $240.00 instead of honoring the active bumper-to-bumper warranty. Tesla only backed down and waived the fee to $0.00 after being confronted with my personal repair invoice as leverage. This proves Tesla is actively executing predatory billing and hiding a systemic batch safety hazard from uninformed consumers. Regulatory investigators can verify this pattern by auditing the Littleton Service Center's internal torque check logs and warranty waiver histories for 2023 Model Y vehicles. Furthermore, after touchless app-pickup on XXX, Tesla staff omitted any key card communication. Two weeks later, after discovering my physical key cards were missing, I initiated a brand-new service request to inquire, and agent Tony admitted they were left at the front desk, exposing that Advisor Luis Rodriguez falsified records on XXX by logging that the vehicle was retrieved on XXX. This constitutes bad-faith warranty denial, record alteration, and predatory consumer deception. I formally reported this severe failure directly to Tesla Global Compliance on XXX, but have received absolutely zero response to date. Full PDF report of my personal logs provided. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11761700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am submitting this safety complaint regarding premature suspension failure on my 2021 Tesla Model Y (VIN: [XXX]), specifically concerning the front lower suspension links.During a dealer inspection at a Tesla Service Center on XXX, with 72,758 miles on the odometer, technicians diagnosed that the vehicle’s front lower lateral links and front lower compliance links suffered from severely torn factory air-gap rubber bushings. The degradation of these critical structural components required immediate, full replacement of the entire arm assemblies to ensure safe operational handling, resulting in an out-of-pocket repair quote of $1,976.57 (Tesla Invoice #XXX). A compromised or torn bushing in the lower lateral link assembly compromises structural integrity, increasing the risk of mechanical detachment or fracture while in motion, which poses a severe loss-of-control safety risk at highway speeds. This issue directly correlates to the high failure rates and premature degradation profiles currently being investigated by the Office of Defects Investigation under active NHTSA Probe PE26006. I request that this case data point be reviewed as further evidence to transition this active preliminary evaluation into a mandatory, formal safety recall for the protection of all affected owners. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11760460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While operating a 2022 Tesla Model Y with Full Self-Driving (FSD Supervised) engaged, the vehicle failed to execute a right merge onto the CA-280 North freeway ramp in Redwood City, CA. Instead, FSD initiated an unexpected wrong-way maneuver down a downward off-ramp. As the vehicle headed toward a sharp left curve, it failed to decelerate sufficiently for the turn. The vehicle maintained speed on the downward incline and then accelerated slightly, traveling at around 30 mph immediately prior to impact. Facing an active hazard initiated by the software, I performed an emergency manual override. System steering resistance and abrupt load transfer mid-turn caused an immediate loss of control, driving the vehicle over a mound and into an off-road ditch. Airbags deployed upon impact, and occupants (including a 5-month-old infant) were transported to the emergency room for evaluation. A formal safety complaint is being filed regarding FSD wrong-way navigation failures, failure to decelerate, and severe handling/disengagement instability during emergency takeover scenarios.
NHTSA complaint #11760430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On August 26, 2026, the vehicle’s Full Self-Driving system was involved in three separate incidents. Between approximately 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM, while exiting a parking lot onto a main major street with Full Self-Driving engaged, the vehicle struck the curb. At approximately 6:20 PM, while driving approximately 40 mph on a local road, one street before turning onto the highway, the vehicle began drifting out of its lane without warning for no apparent reason — it is unknown whether this was an attempted automated lane change or a system error. There was oncoming traffic in the adjacent lane at the time; I immediately took manual control of the steering wheel and applied the brakes to correct the vehicle’s path and avoid a collision. At approximately 6:45 PM, while exiting a different parking lot onto a main major street with Full Self-Driving engaged, the vehicle struck the curb a second time. No warning lamp, alert, or message preceded any of these events, and no collision with another vehicle occurred in any of the three incidents. The vehicle has since been returned to the dealer where it was purchased. I am uncertain whether the dealer has separately reported these incidents.
NHTSA complaint #11760152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEVERE DEFECT: Unprompted autonomous steering overrides manual driving. When Autopilot is OFF, Emergency Lane Departure Avoidance (ELDA) violently yanks the steering wheel, steering TOWARD hazards like oncoming traffic on the left or a mountain/rock wall past the curb on the right. This creates a severe collision risk, overriding safe manual input.DOCUMENTED PROOF: Provided Tesla Service (Palo Alto) over 12 timestamps and several dashcam footage. Technicians physically verified NO internal/external camera obstructions across TWO separate visits. Moving a transponder failed to resolve it.TESLA REFUSAL: Service Center has canceled TWO other service requests without fixing the defect, claiming it the 'system is working as intended.' Crucially, the Manager Jay explicitly admitted this dangerous steering override is a 'known issue for vehicles without FSD' operating on an older, separate software stack prone to these errors. To resolve this critical safety hazard, he explicitly suggested I purchase Tesla's premium Full Self-Driving (FSD) upgrade, claiming the FSD stack fixes it. Tesla is fully aware their base active safety software stack is defective and steers into hazards, yet demands a paid consumer upgrade to resolve it rather than issuing a safety patch or recall.
NHTSA complaint #11759885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I own a 2021 Tesla Model Y with an HW3 car computer. At approximately 54,000 miles, the vehicle developed intermittent failures of the cameras, GPS/navigation, and cruise control. On two occasions during the same routine drive, about 40 minutes into the trip, the GPS, cameras, and cruise control abruptly stopped functioning at approximately the same location. The first occurrence was about July 7, 2026 at 9:15 AM and the second August 7, 2026 at about 3:15 PM. I made the same trip once between these events without a failure. I had also previously experienced a frightening incident while driving northbound on I-280 approaching the lane division for 19th Avenue in San Francisco using Autopilot. Where my lane widened and a new lane began, the vehicle abruptly attempted to follow the new lane to the right. I had to intervene firmly with the steering wheel to maintain control. I do not know whether this event was related to the later diagnosed computer failure, but report it because of its possible safety significance. Tesla serviced the vehicle in Sunnyvale on August 16, 2026 at 54,565 miles. Tesla's invoice states: “Technician addressed the intermittent loss of GPS, cameras, and cruise control. The car computer had board-side failures and was replaced.” Tesla replaced the HW3 computer with a Hardware 3.2 computer, part 1775000-S0-L. Tesla also found corrosion at the 12V input and replaced the 12V battery. My concern is that the HW3 computer failure was intermittent and simultaneously affected cameras, GPS/navigation, and cruise control. The vehicle operated normally between failures, so a driver could not know when the problem might recur. I ask NHTSA to determine whether similar HW3 computer failures are occurring in other 2021 Model Y vehicles.
NHTSA complaint #11759495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel started sticking, and the contact discovered that the center of the steering wheel was cracked and peeling. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,997.
NHTSA complaint #11759136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Subject: Safety Hazard caused by Emergency Lane Departure Avoidance on [2026 Tesla Model Y] Description: I am writing to report a serious safety issue regarding the Emergency Lane Departure Avoidance (ELDA) feature on my US-spec Tesla. Starting with recent software updates, the vehicle forces the Lane Departure Avoidance setting back to "Assist" upon every single drive cycle, with no option to disable it permanently. This behavior creates an immediate safety hazard, especially in cold climate regions and during winter driving conditions. When attempting to steer around immediate road hazards such as open manholes, deep potholes, or debris, the vehicle's cameras fail to recognize the object in the road. If the driver maneuvers to avoid the hazard without a pre-activated turn signal, the ELDA system aggressively intervenes, jerking the steering wheel back into the path of the danger. On slippery, icy, or wet roads, this unexpected electronic intervention causes a sudden loss of traction, risking a severe crash. Forcing a driver to navigate multiple sub-menus on a touchscreen to change a safety-critical setting before every single drive is dangerous and distracting. In the United States, there is no federal mandate requiring this setting to reset to "Assist" on every drive. I request that NHTSA investigate this aggressive software behavior and compel Tesla to restore the option for owners to permanently set Lane Departure Avoidance to "Warning" or "Off".
NHTSA complaint #11758972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Component Failed: Electronic Power Steering (EPAS) system / Steering Rack. The vehicle is currently displaying the active safety alert code: UI_a020 ("Steering assist reduced / disabled"). The vehicle is available for inspection. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of primary power steering assist creates a severe safety hazard, requiring extreme physical effort to steer the vehicle. This increases the risk of a crash during sudden maneuvers or at low speeds. Confirmation & Warning Lamps: The UI_a020 warning message is actively displayed on the vehicle's touchscreen. Tesla service has remotely acknowledged the alert code and required a diagnostic fee approval via the mobile app. Inspection Status: The vehicle has not yet been physically inspected. Due to severe service backlogs, the earliest available appointment Tesla could provide is more than a month away, on September 30th. I am forced to either park the vehicle or drive it with a known, I think there's active steering system fault until that date.
NHTSA complaint #11758811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On 8/22/2026, my 2022 Tesla Model Y Long Range with approximately 81,000 miles developed an Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) fault immediately after I felt a brief jerk while reversing. The vehicle displayed “Steering assist reduced / Steering may require increased effort.” Manual steering currently feels normal, but Full Self-Driving/Autosteer and Lane Departure/Lane Keeping functions became unavailable. Tesla Service Mode shows repeated faults EPAS3P_a072_motFeedFwdError, EPAS3P_a049_piCtrlError, and UI_a020_SteeringReduced. For EPAS3P_a072, Tesla’s diagnostic screen describes a “Motor control feed-forward correlation error,” lists the potential impact as “Reduced steering assist and EAC inhibited,” and specifically lists “Replace EPAS” as the clear condition. The faults return after vehicle power-off and reboot. The vehicle was updated to software 2026.21.6 / FSD v14 Lite approximately two weeks before this occurred. There were no previous steering warnings. I am not claiming the update caused the failure, but I believe the timing warrants investigation. NHTSA Complaint 11749826 describes a 2021 Model Y with the same EPAS3P_a072 and UI_a020 faults, including Tesla Service Mode stating “Replace EPAS.” Complaint 11758026 describes another 2021 Model Y steering gear failure and requests expansion of Recall 25V-092 to earlier Model Ys. My vehicle has not yet been physically inspected by Tesla. The vehicle and diagnostic information are available for inspection. I request NHTSA investigate whether this EPAS failure extends beyond the current recall population and whether recent software changes may be contributing.
NHTSA complaint #11758818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAFETY DEFECT REPORT: UNMAPPED RECALL EXPANSION / COMPONENT COMMONALITY My 2021 Tesla Model Y experienced a sudden, dangerous loss of electronic power-assisted steering (EPAS) while driving, instantly displaying the alert: "Steering assist reduced / Steering may require increased effort."An official diagnosis by Tesla Service (Estimate #3000-009-0038060635, attached) confirmed a catastrophic failure of the steering gear assembly, requiring a full replacement of the unit. The specific component listed for replacement is STEERING GEAR - LEFT HAND DRIVE, Part Number: 1188832-00-B. This is the identical engineering architecture and part family (1188832) targeted in NHTSA Safety Recall 25V092 for an overvoltage breakdown of the internal EPAS printed circuit board. While my vehicle falls outside the current 2023 model year production window defined by Tesla for 25V092, it uses the exact same component architecture and suffered the exact same failure mode. This represents a clear pattern of failure and component commonality expanding into earlier model years (2021). I am submitting my official itemized Tesla repair estimate of $3,072.50 as physical documentation. I request that the NHTSA review this component match and investigate an expansion of Recall 25V092 to protect other owners of earlier model years from this sudden loss of steering control.
NHTSA complaint #11758026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This is what happened: While Full Self-Driving (FSD) was engaged, the vehicle approached an intersection and appeared unable to correctly follow the roadway. Instead of following the intended road path, the vehicle continued forward, drove over the curb, and struck a road sign. The impact knocked the sign down, and the sign subsequently struck the vehicle, including the roof glass. The roof glass shattered and small pieces of glass entered the cabin, exposing both the driver and front passenger to a safety risk. Vehicle data obtained after the incident shows that the vehicle was in ACTIVE_FSD leading up to the collision. FSD changed from ACTIVE to UNAVAILABLE approximately 1.5 seconds before the crash algorithm wake-up. Significant braking occurred only very close to the collision, and no Automatic Emergency Braking intervention was recorded during the incident window. The data also shows multiple substantial steering movements shortly before the collision. Accelerator-pedal data does not establish driver acceleration as the cause of the collision. The available samples show an accelerator position of 2.0% shortly before the collision and 0.0% in the next recorded sample. The driver applied the brake shortly before impact. There were no prior warning lamps or messages indicating that FSD was about to become unavailable before the vehicle departed the roadway. The vehicle has been inspected/repaired following the collision, and vehicle data relating to the incident has been obtained and preserved. Police responded to the collision, and the incident was also reported to insurance. A police report was filed, and the case number is 2026-07160174. I have not yet received the formal CR-4 crash report. Following the collision, I experienced significant psychological distress and trauma-related stress symptoms as a result of the incident.
NHTSA complaint #11758061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in Self-Driving Mode and driving approximately 5-8 MPH, the vehicle suddenly turned towards the left into oncoming traffic. The contact immediately manually started steering the vehicle. The contact stated that there was an abnormal popping and snapping sound coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle eventually came to a stop, and the contact became aware that the steering wheel was bent inward. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 10,500.
NHTSA complaint #11757416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FAILED COMPONENT & AVAILABILITY: 2023 Tesla Model Y front suspension (suspected lower lateral link detachment), steering system, and airbag system (failed to deploy). Preserved intact, but will be at Hendrick Collision ([XXX]; POC: Dendi [XXX]) under Allstate Claim #XXX. Available for immediate NHTSA inspection. SAFETY RISK: At highway speed on Aviation Parkway, the car suffered an unprompted, violent directional loss, zig-zagging uncontrollably in the lane and risking a multi-vehicle crash. Operating manually. Do not have Autopilot or FSD. I was at the mercy of the vehicle's sensor/chassis failure. The car crashed into the grass median, sustaining heavy driver-side damage. Airbags failed to deploy during impact. CONFIRMATION BY REPAIR CENTER: Physical teardown is on hold pending Event Data Recorder (EDR) "Black Box" imaging and chassis alignment inspection. INSPECTIONS TO DATE: Allstate Level 1 Claim #XXX assigned. Evidence preservation and cloud telemetry extraction notices served to Tesla Legal and Allstate. WARNINGS & PRIOR REPAIR HISTORY: No warnings appeared immediately prior to steering failure. Software was fully updated. This crash occurred 14 days after a 2nd High-Voltage (HV) Battery replacement: XXX: HV Battery error code -> 1st HV Battery Replacement (returned XXX) XXX: Recurring HV Battery error -> 2nd HV Battery Replacement (returned XXX) XXX: Unprompted directional failure and crash. INVESTIGATIVE CONTEXT: Matches NHTSA PE26006 investigating 2021-2023 Model Y front lower lateral link detachments causing sudden loss of control. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11757531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle became difficult to maneuver and independently veered into the other lane. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,335.
NHTSA complaint #11757053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.