2021 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 29, 2026FLSteering

   I have a model 3 2021 Tesla. I noticed that several times it gives me the alert for steering wheel malfunction when it rains. In these instances the car will completely froze in the middle of the highway. I noticed Tesla had a recall for the 2023 Tesla’s for the same issue but failed to inspect the 2021 that also has similar issues. I think this is a huge safety issue that’s a manufactured issue that could have cost me my life

   NHTSA complaint #11767844 · source
2. Filed Jul 8, 2026MISteering

   My steering suddenly got extremely stiff on the highway while driving. There was a warning that assist will be reduced but no assist was present. I had to use all my strength to turn the steering and pulled into a parking lot with great difficulty. Then I reset the main computer and the power steering was functional again. I was lucky since the traffic was moving slower than usual but it could have been very dangerous and was a major safety concern.

   NHTSA complaint #11749019 · source
3. Filed Dec 19, 2025FLElectrical SystemOther / UnknownSteering

   After Tesla replaced my high voltage battery in May of 2024 all of the following started to happen. Prior to the replacement none of these issues were present. While driving under normal conditions, my 2021 Tesla suddenly and violently steered into an oncoming lane or toward the roadside without any driver input. The steering wheel physically turned on its own with force. Full Self-Driving was NOT engaged at the time of the incident. This was not lane assist correction and…

   NHTSA complaint #11706126 · source
4. Filed Sep 13, 2025CTDriver Assistance & Safety TechSteering

   Steering rack failure. Steering assist, auto pilot and lane departure prevention failed and would not work properly so this is a safety issue. Manual steering worked fine but the safety and auto pilot functions would no longer function. Paid for Tesla service over $3,000 to replace steering rack and now is working properly. Reporting this as this may happen to others and probably should be a proactive recall on the steering racks so others don't lose these safety features.…

   NHTSA complaint #11687029 · source
5. Filed Aug 27, 2025CASteeringWheels & Tires

   While driving a Tesla 2021 model 3 tonight at 8:45 P.M. turning left the wheels locked to the left and would not turn straight causing me to hit a concrete divider. After hitting concrete divider steering released to normal driving but driver side car front rim tire was damaged and wheel alignment misdirected.

   NHTSA complaint #11683322 · source
6. Filed Jul 30, 2025WABrakesSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - ABS, Automatic Emergency Braking, Traction Control, Stability Control failed while braking using the regenerative braking. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - While coming to a stop using the regenerative braking, the regenerative braking immedietely ceased to work, and the driver had to immediately apply the hydraulic brakes to avoid a rear end…

   NHTSA complaint #11677290 · source
7. Filed Oct 18, 2024TXCrash1 injuredTowedDriver Assistance & Safety TechSteering

   1. Autosteer/Lane assist failure, yes its available for inspection upon request with Tesla 2. Due to above failure met with a crash which led to severe medical issues 3. The car has been totalled and the car is not functional, waiting on Tesla to inspect and confirm 4. Police has filed a crash report but manufacturer, insurance yet to inspect the vehicle or component 5. Absolutely NO WARNING lamps/messages prior to the failure.

   NHTSA complaint #11620683 · source
8. Filed Oct 1, 2024PASteeringSuspensionWheels & Tires

   While driving, I started to hear a creaking sound while backing up and turning the wheel left. The sound became worse over the course of a few weeks. The steering also felt a little loose. I reached out to the manufacturer for a service appointment, and could only be scheduled about a month out. After a few weeks, while trying to parallel park, the car felt like a tire was stuck, or had a flat. I stopped the car to look at all of the tires and they looked fine. When I…

   NHTSA complaint #11617402 · source
9. Filed Apr 25, 202444,410 miFLCrash1 injuredTowedSteering

   The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle made a violent right turn inadvertently crashed into a ditch, and rolled on the driveway. The contact sustained a concision. Medical attention was needed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 44,410.

   NHTSA complaint #11585174 · source
10. Filed Feb 15, 2024CACrashFireTowedSteeringSuspension

    Please note that the VIN I have used is not the VIN of the actual vehicle which is the subject of this complaint. There has been a fatal crash in San Diego. Here is a video of the aftermath. [XXX] I have taken stills from that video that show the Tesla wheel lying on the roadway well before the crash site and marks on the road that show the car slewed sideways after the wheel fell off and then crashed and burned incinerating the young driver. Photos are attached. You know…

    NHTSA complaint #11572238 · source
11. Filed Sep 21, 202317,000 miCATowedElectrical SystemSteering

    The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while driving out of a parking space, the steering wheel seized. The message "Front Motor Disabled. Continue Driving" was displayed. The manufacturer was contacted and provided remote assistance, but the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle regained power steering functionality after an hour. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving out of a parking space on another occasion. The…

    NHTSA complaint #11545854 · source
12. Filed Sep 18, 2023FLCrashTowedSteering

    I was driving my car on the highway I275 approximatley 5 miles North of St Petersburg Florida. When without reason the car spun to the left very quickly, I did not have any steering control at that moment. If the car had hyro plained it would not have spun out of control so quickly. The road was slightly wet as there was a drizzle but not to any extent to allow the car to spin out of control due to heavy water. My vehicle hit the highway guard rail and was badly damaged.

    NHTSA complaint #11545162 · 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