1.81 vs. all vehicles Too few recent reports to judge
83 of the 708 complaints about the Tesla Model S (11.7%) concern Steering, making it the model's #5 problem area. That share is 1.8× the Steering share across all tracked vehicles.
83Complaints · Steering
11.7%Share of complaints
1.81×vs. all vehicles
4Last 12 months
10.8%Share involving a crash or fire
3Related recalls
Analysis
By model year, Steering complaints peak with the 2021 model (26, 15% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2025 model (1). 4 Steering complaints were filed in the last 12 months.
Owners most often describe: “yoke”, “horn”, “steering”, “wheel” and “button”. 10 of these reports (10.8%) describe a crash or fire, with 4 injuries and 1 death mentioned.
3 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 23V743000 (2023-11-03, model years 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024).
There is a design flaw with the horn on the steering yoke. It is not easily located especially in times of stress or eminent collision. I have been driving for 50 years and all horns in my past vehicles have horns in the center of the steering wheel.
Steering · 2024-07-26 · ODI 11604825 · Crash
The contact owned a 2020 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH and attempting to make a left turn, the vehicle lost stability and started to slide sideways and left the roadway.
Steering · 2024-01-23 · ODI 11567180 · Crash
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.
Steering · 2026-08-28 · ODI 11760191
The turning signal button on the steering wheel doesn't respond intermittently. It's a safety hazard to not engage a turning signal when making a turn.
Steering · 2026-01-26 · ODI 11713304
On October 17, 2025, while using Full Self-Driving (FSD) mode on my 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid, the car failed to stop at two red lights within a three-hour period.
Steering · 2025-10-20 · ODI 11694506
Sometimes while making ordinary and safe traffic maneuvers the Lane Departure Warning system sometimes emits a very loud, distracting, and startling emergency chime.
Steering · 2025-09-16 · ODI 11687621
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR Campaign 23V743000 · 2023-11-03 · Model years: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Summary: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: 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.
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.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM Campaign 22V818000 · 2022-11-01 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Summary: 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.
Remedy: 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.
How common are Steering problems on the Tesla Model S?
83 of the 708 complaints about the Tesla Model S (11.7%) concern Steering, making it the model's #5 problem area. That share is 1.8× the Steering share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Tesla Model S model years have the most Steering complaints?
By model year, Steering complaints peak with the 2021 model (26, 15% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2025 model (1).
Is there a recall for Tesla Model S Steering problems?
3 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 23V743000 (2023-11-03, model years 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024).