444 of the
7,374 complaints filed about the Tesla Model Y
are about the steering —
6% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2023.
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.
On August 3, 2026, my Tesla Model Y was traveling at approximately 50 mph with Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) engaged. At approximately 4:12:47 PM CDT, FSD became unavailable and then became available again. At 4:12:51.628 PM CDT, FSD was recorded as ACTIVE_FSD again. Approximately 2.36 seconds after FSD was re-engaged, at 4:12:53.987 PM CDT, the vehicle's steering began a sudden and rapid rightward movement. I did not turn the steering wheel or intentionally provide a rightward steering input that initiated this maneuver. The recorded steering angle increased rapidly from approximately +11.4° to +20.7°, +33.3°, +83.3°, +137.9°, +154.7°, and ultimately approximately +282° within about 1.6 seconds. Importantly, FSD was still recorded as ACTIVE_FSD when the steering movement began. FSD changed to UNAVAILABLE at approximately 4:12:54.364 PM CDT, about 0.38 seconds after the steering movement had already started. The steering continued to escalate after FSD became unavailable.The vehicle subsequently experienced severe lateral acceleration of approximately 0.96 g, and crash detection activated at approximately 4:12:55.710 PM CDT. The accelerator was recorded at 0% during the developing steering event and increased only after crash detection. Hard braking and ABS activation occurred afterward.I do not have Tesla Dashcam footage, but I have retained Tesla's vehicle telemetry export containing FSD state, steering, steering-torque, accelerator, braking, vehicle-speed, stability-control, and crash-event data.I am concerned that Tesla FSD may have initiated or contributed to the unexpected steering maneuver that resulted in the collision. I am certain that I did not initiate the sudden rightward steering maneuver.I request that NHTSA investigate whether this represents a potential safety defect or unexpected FSD behavior, particularly the sequence of FSD re-engagement followed approximately 2.36 seconds later by the unexpected steering event while FSD was still ACTIVE_FSD
NHTSA complaint #11756945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Component: Suspension: Front — lower lateral and compliance link assemblies; missing and backed-out lateral-link-to-subframe fasteners; torn bushings Beginning in XXX, the vehicle produced a reproducible knocking noise from the front end when reversing and turning at parking-lot speeds, with no dashboard warnings. Tesla Service ([XXX], invoice XXX) verified the noise and documented on the invoice that the cause was: 1. A front left lateral-link-to-subframe mounting bolt MISSING entirely; 2. A second lateral-link fastener significantly backed out; 3. Torn bushings in both front lower compliance links. The technician replaced both front lower lateral link assemblies and both front lower compliance link assemblies with new hardware (invoice line items: XXX lateral links; XXX and XXX compliance links). Total customer cost for the suspension work: $1,539, out of warranty; goodwill and defect coverage were denied in writing as "wear and tear." A structural fastener missing entirely from a primary front suspension link is not ordinary wear. It is the precursor condition to the lateral-link separation investigated under PE26006, which covers this vehicle by year and model. With one bolt absent and the second backed out at under 30,000 miles, this vehicle was effectively one fastener away from the detachment event the investigation documents. The contemporaneous torn bushings in both compliance links reinforce premature component failure, not age-related degradation. No crash, fire, or injury occurred, and the vehicle remained drivable. However, the failure occurred without warning on a safety-critical steering and suspension load path. Evidence retained by owner and referenced in this complaint: -Pre-repair inspection photographs & post-repair invoice INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11756800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yes. Here’s a tighter version designed to stay **under 1,800 characters including spaces** while retaining the key safety facts. I am reporting a serious front suspension failure on my 2023 Tesla Model Y. A bolt fell out near the front control arm/lower suspension bushing area. Tesla’s service invoice confirms the vehicle required pickup from my driveway “due to a bolt falling out near the front control arm bushing area.” The vehicle is available for inspection, although I do not know if Tesla retained the replaced parts. This was a serious safety risk because a front suspension failure could affect steering, wheel position, and vehicle control. Fortunately, it occurred on my residential street near my home. Had this happened at highway speed with my family in the vehicle, the consequences could have been catastrophic. Tesla inspected and repaired the vehicle, replacing the front lower lateral and compliance links on both sides and performing an alignment. Tesla’s written diagnosis states the issue “stemmed from a loose component in the front suspension system.” However, I was verbally told the failure resulted from striking a curb or pothole. There was no apparent impact damage to the body, tires, rims, or undercarriage. My insurance adjuster later contacted Tesla and was reportedly told there was NO evidence the vehicle struck anything. My claim was denied as a result. Tesla’s written repair documentation also contains no mention of impact or collision damage. I received no warning lamp or dashboard message before the failure. The significant symptom was the suspension bolt falling out. I am concerned that a critical suspension component became loose without evidence of impact. I ask NHTSA to investigate whether this could be related to a broader Model Y suspension or fastener safety issue.
NHTSA complaint #11756136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving straight ahead in my lane on a wet freeway in an active construction zone, the vehicle abruptly and without warning lost traction and spun out of control. I was traveling in a normal, controlled manner with the flow of traffic and was not turning, braking hard, or making any abrupt maneuver when the loss of control occurred. It was so sudden that I initially believed another vehicle had struck me. I was unable to recover control, and the vehicle left its lane and was involved in a collision that resulted in the vehicle being declared a total loss. This is a nearly new all-wheel-drive vehicle, approximately 17 months old, equipped with electronic stability and traction control. I am an experienced driver with a clean record and had driven this same vehicle through mountain roads the week prior without any issue. A vehicle of this type is not expected to suddenly lose control while traveling straight. The specific component or system that failed is UNKNOWN. No warning lamps or messages appeared before the loss of control. The vehicle data available to me as an owner is limited and does not reflect the full diagnostic logs the manufacturer retains. The vehicle is a total loss but is preserved and available for inspection upon request. The manufacturer has not inspected or responded. A police report was filed.
NHTSA complaint #11756095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal sound while turning the steering wheel to the left or the right. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the lower and upper control arms were failing. The contact was informed that the lower and upper control arms needed to be replaced. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that a service appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11755463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
During normal driving on roadway the vehicle pulled to the left and driver was not able to steer right to avoid travelling into oncoming traffic and struck another vehicle from opposing traffic. The vehicle gave no notice prior and was not in automatic mode.
NHTSA complaint #11755538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Car making excessive noise, service department refuses to address at Tesla even though various cases of the same issue are easily available online. Issue is with half shaft lubrication being dried but Tesla is trying to charge and claiming that the part hasn’t failed. But to me a part failing due to lack of lubrication can lead to hazard road conditions. I don’t want to put my kids safety in harm but Tesla tells me that no lubrication will not result in part failure
NHTSA complaint #11755534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving the car inside the parking garage of the UCLA Medical Plaza in Westwood at around 3:10pm on XXX, looking for an appropriate parking spot. When entering the second basement floor and turning the steering wheel right, to follow the road, the steering wheel was unresponsive and the car felt as if in neutral gear. As the car was on a downward slope, it went straight into the car parked in front. It happened so fast, but it seemed as if the brakes were ineffective. The air bags on the sides were deployed. On the front, the airbag in the steering wheel came out but did not inflate. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11755387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While operating my 2022 tesla model y, the vehicle suffered a catastrophic hardware failure of the onboard vehicle control computer. This total computer failure resulted in an immediate, sudden loss of electronic power steering assist while the vehicle was in motion. The steering wheel became incredibly stiff and heavy, creating a severe and hazarders driving situation. the vehicle was towed to a tesla service center, where technicians confirmed the onboard computer hardware requires a complete replacement. A vital computer failing prematurely on a 2022 vehicle presents an extreme safety risk of crash or injury due to sudden loss of vehicle control.
NHTSA complaint #11755238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
A day or two before the incident a warning displayed on the computer that was very vague. I didn't notice any issues with the steering or suspension at the time. I believe I scheduled an appointment but it was two weeks out at the Tesla service center. On June 4 as I pulled into my driveway I heard a noise and then struggled to get the car into the driveway completely and avoided the garage altogether. The driveway is fairly flat. In the driveway I found a large bolt that had fallen out of the suspension. The car was undriveable at this point and had to be towed to the service center. The front lower lateral assembly was replaced. If this had happened while driving at any rate of speed I don't know how I would have avoided any obstacles. I have some pictures of the front suspension area but I couldn't tell anything was wrong from them.
NHTSA complaint #11754854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This issue occurred on August 02, 2026 at around 3pm. I was parked and put my 2023 Tesla Model Y in reverse to give myself enough room to drive forward from being parked on road next to my house. While going into reverse, I heard a really loud bang noise coming from under the front section of the car. I put the car in park and got out to take a look around. At first I thought I had hit something while backing out but did not see any object in the reverse camera. So then I kneeled down and looked under the car and that's when I saw the passenger side front lateral arm of the suspension detached and left hanging down from the wheel. I let Tesla know what occurred using their app to message the company.
NHTSA complaint #11754606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.