219 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2023 Tesla Model Y cite steering, 18% of all 1,194 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 3 recalls on this component.
“I was backing out of a parking spot and as I shifted to driving forward I heard a loud bang from the front driver's side wheel well. I got out to see what had happened, expecting a flat tire, but nothing visually appeared wrong. So I got back into the vehicle and started to drive away again, I could drive straight or turn left, but if I tried to turn right it made loud grinding noises. I slowly drove around the parking but quickly determined the vehicle was unsafe and undriveable at that point. Additionally, I found a large bolt on the ground near where I had driven the vehicle. I no longer have the bolt, because the service center kept it. I arranged to have the vehicle towed to a local Tesla Service Center where they discovered "the front left lower lateral link bolt was missing and the remaining bolt was loose". After having the vehicle repaired, I discovered that this exact issue has been documented and resulted in NHTSA Recall Campaign 22V895000 / Tesla Bulletin SB-22-31-002 (improperly torqued lateral link fasteners). I requested a refund for the towing and repair cost, but was told that there are no active recalls on my VIN. I believe the scope of the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Oct 28, 2026·Steering, SuspensionODI 11774296
“I recall Tesla Full Self-Driving (Supervised) being engaged throughout the trip. While negotiating the curved highway interchange, I experienced an unexpected, sharp steering movement toward the concrete roadway barrier that I did not intend. The vehicle collided with the barrier, multiple airbags deployed, and the vehicle sustained extensive damage, including apparent steering/suspension damage. The vehicle was rendered undrivable. I obtained the dashcam footage and Tesla's vehicle data export. The available records show self-driving features marked "Available" and "Unavailable" in the seconds preceding collision detection, with cruise control recorded as "Standby." A lane-departure/take-control warning was also recorded shortly before impact. These records raise questions about whether FSD unexpectedly disengaged, whether automated steering contributed to the vehicle's movement, and whether adequate warning was provided.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Oct 26, 2026·Steering, Unknown or other, Lane departureCrash reportedODI 11773781
“Noticed a clunking noise from the front of car. Put in a service request via the Tesla app. It said it was fin to drive and made an appointment for 2 weeks later. 1 week later, there was a very loud noise and settling of the car. 2 bolts were on the ground and the left front wheel lost steering control. The bolts secure the lower control arm. This would have been catastrophic if it had occurred while driving.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Oct 25, 2026·Steering, SuspensionODI 11773531
“A large bolt completely detached from the drivers side suspension. The vehicle made scraping noises when turning. Tesla confirmed lateral link bolt and brushing damage. The vehicle required towing. There has been no previous suspension or steering work.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Oct 22, 2026·Steering, SuspensionODI 11773102
“On 09/24/2026 at approximately 4:41 PM, my 2023 Tesla Model Y drifted toward the center divider. When I attempted to steer right, away from the divider, the steering felt locked and unresponsive, and the vehicle struck the divider at approximately 24 mph. Airbags did not deploy; no injuries. Vehicle data obtained from Tesla shows: cruise control was engaged approximately 7 seconds before impact and disengaged approximately 2 seconds before impact; about 1.5 seconds before my rightward steering correction, the steering wheel swung hard left (~24°) without driver input; I then applied rightward steering effort and the wheel turned right (up to ~91°) while I was braking; the vehicle displayed "Take control immediately — vehicle departing lane" at the moment of the event; after impact it reported "Automatic Emergency Braking is unavailable" and "Autopilot cameras unavailable." Damage was repaired at a cost of $11,467.75. I am reporting this because the steering behavior — the unexplained leftward swing and the unresponsive steering when I attempted to steer away — suggests a possible defect in the steering or lane-keeping system that could affect other vehicles.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Oct 14, 2026·Steering, Lane departureCrash reportedODI 11771140
“On October 13, 2026, at approximately 1:30 PM, my 2023 Tesla Model Y was operating with Full Self-Driving (Supervised) engaged on I-595 in Davie, Florida. While approaching a closed Express Lane entrance, the vehicle steered toward the end of a swing gate barrier marked "DO NOT ENTER" and collided with it. The impact damaged the lower left portion of the windshield. No injuries were reported. The incident was captured by the vehicle's dashcam. Florida Highway Patrol attended the scene, reviewed the footage, and documented the collision. The vehicle's steering behavior while FSD was engaged raises concerns about its ability to recognize and safely respond to closed lane entrances and physical road barriers. The incident has been reported to Tesla, with a request to preserve relevant vehicle data and investigate the FSD behavior. No technical findings have been provided yet.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Oct 13, 2026·Steering, Unknown or otherCrash reportedODI 11770929
Showing 6 of 219 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
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.
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.