2019 Tesla Model 3 steering problems

Related recalls

• Recall 23V085000Feb 15, 2023362,758 vehicles
  STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERING

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 22V037000Jan 27, 202253,822 vehicles
  STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERING

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 23, 2026WASteering

   The vehicle reported an error with steering. I brought the vehicle into tesla service. Upon inspection the connector to the steering rack was heavily corroded from water intrusion and had broken clean off upon removal. Confirmed with dealer that corrosion had caused the issue. If the connector had failed while driving the vehicle would have lost all power steering immediately and placed myself and others on the road in danger. The connector was corroded enough that the spade…

   NHTSA complaint #11766419 · source
2. Filed Aug 12, 2026CASteering

   Tesla recently introduced auto parking as part of its FSD technology (Software 2026.20.6.11). Whenever we set the car destination to “home”, the auto parking has been able to gradually maneuver the car and self park in our garage. On 8/11, around 8:30pm, the car made a mistake during the auto parking. During the auto reverse into garage, the car came too close to the side of the garage and the driver side mirror hit the wall and partially broke. The driver was monitoring the…

   NHTSA complaint #11756615 · source
3. Filed Feb 2, 2026ORDriver Assistance & Safety TechSteering

   What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The steering system failed due to corrosion and water ingress affecting both the steering rack and the associated steering wiring harness. These components were replaced by Tesla and are no longer available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The steering system is a safety-critical component. Corrosion and water intrusion created a risk of…

   NHTSA complaint #11715150 · source
4. Filed Dec 28, 2025ILSteeringSuspension

   After 3 prior repairs 2 of which were recalls of the front suspension, control arms. I was driving when me and my 3 children’s life’s were almost taken. While driving on the expressway immediate loss of control of the car shaking while driving to work, I stopped immediately thank God no cars around next to me to crash into. We called for a ride and walked off the expressway. Immediately car was taken to Tesla where they told me they couldn’t help and come back in a few days.…

   NHTSA complaint #11707311 · source
5. Filed Jul 30, 2025CABrakesSteeringSuspension

   The vehicle’s front suspension began making loud squeaking noises and felt unstable while driving, especially when turning or going over uneven surfaces. At times, the vehicle does not make a proper turn and almost feels like it loses grip, which is extremely unsafe. I brought the vehicle to a Tesla service center. After inspection, Tesla provided a service estimate and documentation confirming the failure of the front lower lateral links — the exact part and condition…

   NHTSA complaint #11677252 · source
6. Filed Jan 17, 2025TXSteering

   My 2019 Tesla Model 3 (RWD) began alerting error messages on the primary dashboard screen saying "Steering assist reduced. Steering may require increased effort." and "Lane Departure Avoidance features unavailable", followed by the power steering going out completely. Steering required significant effort, which was dangerous while turning through intersections or navigating parking lots, and almost caused a collision with other cars. The error goes away after parking the car…

   NHTSA complaint #11636516 · source
7. Filed Nov 11, 2024FLSteering

   I was driving with food donations from my local shop to deliver them. I was about to turn left to go onto a different street when the car showed a notification that read "Steering Assist Reduced. Steering may require increased effort". It was incredibly hard to turn the steering wheel, left of right. If the car is moving very slowly is becomes increasingly harder to turn it, making it almost impossible to park.

   NHTSA complaint #11624469 · source
8. Filed Sep 3, 2024CASteering

   Driving on the freeway and steering completely locked up. Luckily on a straight away so the car could go to side of road. Restarted the system and it was functional again. Has happened again. Very concern over the safety of these vehicles.

   NHTSA complaint #11612405 · source
9. Filed Aug 25, 2024NVDriver Assistance & Safety TechSteering

   Car intermittently gives me a "reduced power steering" error making it impossible to steer and had to stop in the fast lane on the freeway and reset the car just to get the error to to away I could have been killed and Tesla refuses to have a recall on my year and model and I must pay out of pocket for a new steering rack this is not fair that other models is covered for a recall but not a 2019 model 3

   NHTSA complaint #11610680 · source
10. Filed Jun 20, 2024CAOther / UnknownSteeringSuspension

    Customer concern confirmed there is a creaking noise coming from the front of the car while turning, I performed a visual inspection and found that both RF lower control arm bushings are torn and the LF frontward lower control arm bushing are torn but this is not the cause of the noise the cause of the noise is the upper control arms I took the load off of the upper control arms and the noise went away I also had someone turn the wheels while I looked for the cause of the…

    NHTSA complaint #11595503 · source
11. Filed Jun 19, 2024CASteering

    [XXX] the vehicle provided an amber triangle alert that power steering may not be fully available. On [XXX], the vehicle lost power to the steering wheel and the car steering locked in a straight ahead position. Fortunately the car was traveling at low-speed in a parking to and came to a halt in the parking lot. However, the steering was locked. After several re-boot attempts the failure mode light was extinguished and the car could be driven home. It was brought to Tesla to…

    NHTSA complaint #11595382 · source
12. Filed Jun 18, 2024TXSteering

    "Steering assist reduced" Error code UI_a020 Losing steering power mid-drive due to faulty power steering rack Many others have had this issue happen to their Tesla Model 3 and Ys, i would like to know if this is covered under a recall as my car is out of warranty for this type of safety repair happening very prematurely for a car

    NHTSA complaint #11595184 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology