2023 Tesla Model Y Steering Problems
Owners have filed 215 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the 2023 Tesla Model Y, 18% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 10,500 miles. The words owners use most often: “service center” (15% of reports).
- 215steering complaints
- 10,500median miles at failure
- 31mention a crash
- 9mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 22%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.
- Service center: mentioned in 32 of 215 complaints (15%)
- Assist reduced: mentioned in 23 of 215 complaints (11%)
- Control arm: mentioned in 20 of 215 complaints (9%)
- Lateral link: mentioned in 12 of 215 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 9 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 215 complaints, 31 mention a crash, 9 an injury.
Tesla Model Y steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Model Y | 49 | 12% | 405 |
| 2025 Model Y | 9 | 8% | — |
| 2024 Model Y | 24 | 7% | 1,775 |
| 2023 Model Y | 215 | 18% | 10,500 |
| 2022 Model Y | 60 | 7% | 55,000 |
| 2021 Model Y | 94 | 9% | 2,500 |
| 2020 Model Y | 26 | 9% | 1,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Steering:electric power assist system
Problem: 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.
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, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-00-004.
Steering:critical fasteners; steering: steering wheel/handle bar
Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Model Y vehicles. The steering wheel fastener may be loose.
Risk: A loose fastener may allow the steering wheel to disconnect from the steering column, which can cause a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla Service will inspect and replace the fastener as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were be mailed July 28, 2023. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-32-001.
Steering:automated/adaptive steering
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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…
I began hearing a squeaking noise coming from the front of my 2023 Tesla Model Y. While pulling out of a parking lot at a low speed, the front left control arm failed and the bolts came out. When the failure occurred, the vehicle suddenly steered to the left. Fortunately, I was traveling at a very…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2023 Tesla Model Ys have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 215 owner complaints about steering for the 2023 Tesla Model Y (18% of the 1,181 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2023 Tesla Model Y steering?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do steering problems start?
The median reported mileage is 10,500 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about steering problems on the 2023 Tesla Model Y?
The most frequent phrase is “service center”, in 32 of 215 complaints, followed by “assist reduced” (23).
Other 2023 Tesla Model Y problems
See all 2023 Tesla Model Y problems or steering problems across all Model Y years.