Tesla Model S Steering Problems
Owners have filed 346 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the Tesla Model S across 14 model years. The 2016 model year has the most (87). The words owners use most often: “https www” (15% of reports).
- 346steering complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 37mention a crash
- 14mention an injury
- 5related recalls
- $4,250typical repair cost reported by owners
- 45%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Https www: mentioned in 51 of 346 complaints (15%)
- Teslamotorsclub com: mentioned in 27 of 346 complaints (8%)
- Complaint autopilot: mentioned in 25 of 346 complaints (7%)
- Tmc threads: mentioned in 25 of 346 complaints (7%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical steering repair on the Tesla Model S at $4,250, and half of them between $2,550 and $5,150.
Based on 10 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2018–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 156 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 346 complaints, 37 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 14 an injury.
Tesla Model S steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Model S | 1 | 17% | — |
| 2024 Model S | 4 | 11% | — |
| 2023 Model S | 20 | 18% | — |
| 2022 Model S | 21 | 15% | — |
| 2021 Model S | 29 | 16% | — |
| 2020 Model S | 10 | 13% | 2,500 |
| 2019 Model S | 4 | 9% | 2,763 |
| 2018 Model S | 15 | 9% | 19,950 |
| 2017 Model S | 47 | 11% | 10,000 |
| 2016 Model S | 87 | 13% | 5,000 |
| 2015 Model S | 51 | 8% | 10,000 |
| 2014 Model S | 27 | 7% | 50,000 |
| 2013 Model S | 29 | 6% | 76,000 |
| 2012 Model S | 1 | 2% | 67,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (5)
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar; air bags:frontal
Model years: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model S and Model X vehicles. An incorrect air bag may have been installed when the steering yoke or round steering wheel was replaced with a different style of yoke or steering wheel.
Risk: An air bag that is not designed to function with the replacement steering yoke or wheel may deploy incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Tesla Service will inspect and replace the driver air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-20-005.
Steering:automated/adaptive steering
Model years: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Problem: 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.
Risk: FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-001.
Steering:electric power assist system
Model years: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electronic power assist steering (EPAS) system may experience a loss of power steering assist when driving on rough roads or after hitting a pothole.
Risk: A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update to recalibrate the EPAS system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 31, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-014.
Steering:automated/adaptive steering
Model years: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Problem: 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.
Risk: Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-001.
Steering:electric power assist system
Model years: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Tesla Model S vehicles equipped with Bosch steering racks. The aluminum bolts that attach the power steering gear assist motor to the gear housing may corrode and fracture causing a reduction or complete loss of power steering assist.
Risk: Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will replace the steering gear mounting bolts and add a corrosion-preventative sealer, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-18-32-002.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Rear left control arm failed while driving causing loss of steering and suspension
Back tires are popping in the inner wall Iâm on my 6th tires for the years same thing keeps happening. Steering wheel is falling apart Tesla is refusing to fix it.
My 2023 Tesla Model S has a horn activated by a small button on the right side of the steering wheel rather than by pressing the center of the steering wheel. During a recent dangerous traffic situation, I needed to use the horn immediately to warn another driver, but I could not locate and…
Backing out of driveway, the steering wheel was very hard to turn. The dash indicated the steering assist feature wasn't working. After restarting the software and the problem persisting, I investigated the assist motor/pump and found that the ground to the chassis was very corroded. I attempted to…
While driving my vehicle straight approaching an intersection, I lost complete steering capability and feedback from the steering wheel. The lower intermediate shaft on the steering column complete separated from the splines on the rack and pinion. If I wasn't already preparing to stop at the stop…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Tesla Model Ss have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 346 owner complaints about steering for the Tesla Model S. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Tesla Model S steering?
Yes: 5 safety recalls list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix steering problems on the Tesla Model S?
Owners report a typical cost of $4,250 (half paid between $2,550 and $5,150), from 10 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about steering problems on the Tesla Model S?
The most frequent phrase is “https www”, in 51 of 346 complaints, followed by “teslamotorsclub com” (27).
Other Tesla Model S problems
See all Tesla Model S problems.