2024 Tesla Model 3 Steering Problems

On July 18, 2026, at approximately 10:00 AM EST, my son was manually driving a 2024 Tesla Model 3 at approximately 26 MPH when the steering suddenly became extremely stiff and difficult to turn. He attempted to steer away from a roadside barrier but was unable to turn the steering wheel sufficiently, resulting in a collision. There was no warning or indication observed on the dashboard before the steering suddenly became extremely stiff. Autopilot, cruise control, and Full Self-Driving were not activated; the vehicle was being driven manually. Fortunately, my son did not sustain any physical injuries. However, a sudden loss of normal steering control is a serious safety concern and could potentially cause severe injuries to the driver, passengers, pedestrians, or occupants of other vehicles. After the accident, the vehicle was towed to the insurance-designated facility and is currently being examined by the insurance adjuster. Within a few minutes of the accident, the vehicle also became completely locked, preventing us from retrieving personal belongings. I previously reported this incident to NHTSA under complaint number 11751698, but all required documentation was not available at that time. I am therefore submitting the complaint again with the additional information and documentation now available. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate this incident and determine the root cause of the sudden steering stiffness and whether there is a safety-related defect or condition that could affect other vehicles.

NHTSA ID

11755390

Incident

Jul 18, 2026

The steering wheel turn signal buttons on my Tesla Model 3 intermittently becoming unresponsive or getting stuck signaling left or right. This prevents me from reliably signaling lane changes or turns. This is a safety risk because I may be unable to properly signal maneuvers as required under Maryland Vehicle Law §21-604, potentially confusing nearby drivers and increasing the risk of an accident. As this is a moving violation, I can be fined and or points on my driving record The issue has occurred multiple times during normal driving but has not yet been formally confirmed by a service center.

NHTSA ID

11733743

Incident

Apr 25, 2026

I purchased a 2024 Tesla Model 3 a little over a year ago. Recently, and after an update, myself, and other drivers in my life, noticed the self-driving feature was malfunctioning - to the point I used the audio reporting feature to report this problem twice to Tesla. The car would veer off the road when flasing lights appeared and would jerk suddenly for no reason when it thought there was a obstruction in the road (sticks, plastic bags, etc.). Last month this malfunction has caused an accident, and my car has been totaled, my insurance will not cover it, and I have been advised by two separate attorneys to sue. This has been litigated in court with lawsuits against Tesla (See Benavides v. Tesla; see also IN RE: TESLA ADVANCED DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS LITIGATION). I had notified Telsa twice of this issue, the car left the lane and did not notice a concrete barrier on the left side going north on I-95 in or around Broward County. To my knowledge no one has inspected the car. I was not warned that this car would cause an accident, the problem first appeared when I reported the issue using the voice reporting feature around November 2025. It is currently located at a tow facility in Broward County, FL and can be inspected there.

NHTSA ID

11712202

Incident

Dec 3, 2025

I am leasing a 2024 Tesla Model 3. The vehicle has a steering column defect that was previously acknowledged and temporarily repaired by Tesla Service. Within days, the issue returned. Tesla has now informed me that the steering column has a known design flaw, that replacement parts are still in development, and that any repair attempted now would fail. Despite this, I am being asked to continue driving the vehicle until at least January. This defect affects the steering system, a critical safety component, and raises serious concerns regarding vehicle control and driver safety. Tesla has not offered a loaner vehicle or alternative transportation while awaiting a permanent fix. I believe this vehicle is unsafe to operate and am reporting this as a safety-related defect in the steering system.

NHTSA ID

11704744

Incident

Dec 5, 2025

I purchased this used Tesla Model 3 (VIN: [XXX] ) from a licensed dealer on July 15th, 2025. The vehicle is still under the original manufacturer warranty. Since ownership, I have experienced a persistent metal-impact noise coming from the suspension and steering area, especially when going over speed bumps, uneven road surfaces, or low-speed turns. The noise sounds like loose metal parts making contact. Tesla service has attempted repairs multiple times, including a recent visit that lasted several weeks. Although some minor issues were addressed, the abnormal metal impact noise continues and has never been fully resolved. The repeated unresolved noise raises concerns about structural integrity and potential failure within components related to steering, wheels, or suspension. While the vehicle remains operable, the issue affects driving confidence, comfort, and concentration. Over time, the repeated metal noise has caused stress and anxiety because I am unsure whether a part will loosen or fail while driving. Since the problem remains after multiple attempts to repair, I am reporting this as a potential safety-related defect. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11704105

Incident

Nov 12, 2025

On October 17, 2025, while Full Self-Driving (Supervised) was engaged, the vehicle made an abrupt, uncommanded steering input to the right, causing a collision with a tunnel wall. This crash appears to be the result of a critical vehicle hardware failure. In the 24 hours prior to the crash, the vehicle logged multiple critical steering errors, including EPAS3P_a086_dasMia, which indicates the Electric Power Assisted Steering system was "Missing in Action" and not communicating. Furthermore, the vehicle has logged daily, recurring hardware faults for the Steering Column Control Module (SCCM_a016_hardwareError) since it was purchased. The uncommanded steering action created an extremely dangerous safety condition resulting in a collision. All stability and traction control faults appeared at the exact moment of impact, not before, indicating the steering system failure was the root cause. The problem has been confirmed by the vehicle's own internal diagnostic logs. The vehicle is available for inspection.

NHTSA ID

11695128

Incident

Oct 17, 2025

Tesla has removed the turn signal stalks on some of their vehicles in favor of buttons on the steering wheel. While Tesla may argue that these buttons work fine, they are unsafe and they do not work in all driving situations (roads with multiple tight turns, roundabouts, etc). The buttons are also prone to sticking, which renders them inoperable. I have been pulled over due to failure to signal on a tight roadway in San Francisco, the officer did not write a ticket when he saw the design defect and advised that I remedy the issue with Tesla. I have also almost gotten into an accident several times in roundabouts because of failure to signal -- it was impossible to signal via the button on the steering wheel while in the roundabout. Tesla has acknowledged that this design is a safety issue and has brought back turn signal stalks on newly manufactured vehicles. Due to the immediate safety issue and Tesla having no retrofit available, I have purchased a 3rd party accessory that fixes the issue. The accessory is from a company called Enhance Auto and it is called "S3XY Stalks". It is a bluetooth enabled turn signal that connects to a device that is attached to the OBD sensor. This device works perfectly and it solves the safety issue. Tesla has refused to reimburse me in the amount of $522.50 for this turn signal device.

NHTSA ID

11689524

Incident

Sep 1, 2025

The contact owned a 2024 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 65 MPH, and was driving on the exit ramp, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact's daughter stated that the brake pedal felt hard. The contact's daughter used the emergency brake but failed to function as intended. In addition, the steering wheel locked. The contact's daughter, to avoid hitting the vehicle in front, was able to pull over to the side of the road using excessive force on the steering wheel, and hit a tree, where it came to a stop. The driver-side air bags and side curtain air bags deployed. Three of the contact’s daughters were taken to the hospital by ambulance. The contact's daughter suffered three fractures in her left eye, three fingers on her left hand were fractured, and the seat belt left a burn on her neck. The contact's three other daughters were passengers inside the vehicle. The daughter who sat in the front passenger seat suffered hematomas on the abdomen and had bruises on her face, legs, and arms. The daughter who sat behind the driver in the back suffered injuries, scratches on the legs, the glass debris from the window caused cuts on the head, and had bruises on her chest and back. The daughter who sat in the front passenger seat was not seriously injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the towing yard. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The insurance company was notified. The contact filed a claim, and it was denied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but denied assistance. The failure mileage was 13,816.

NHTSA ID

11683464

Incident

Jul 12, 2025

Mileage

13,816 mi

When driving vehicle over the past month, vehicle turn signals on the steering wheel fail to respond to commands and feel almost as if the controls are locked out by a steering wheel software fault. Upon further inspection, checking service mode, found the SCCM service alert to correlate with the exact moment of turn signal unpressability directly. No debris or liquid has ever entered the area, and this issue has gotten so bad that it happens 3-4 times over a 45min drive I cannot activate the turn signals at all when the failure occurs. There is no alternative way to activate them. The steering wheel is the only way to activate the turn signals and the fault does not permit me to use either turn signal when attempting to change lanes on the highway. Tesla reports that it's a normal software bug and to "deal with it" because there's nothing they can do to fix it. This is directly indicative of a known defective part, and this is a safety-critical defect where a recall must be issued to resolve. Numerous units are impacted through research of same failures. I cant use my turn signals when attempting to change lanes, and Tesla does not want to fix/refuses to address this issue. Even through a phone call from Paul from the service center in Orchard Lake, MI, reported that the condition is a "known defect with INTERAL DOCUMENTS" that confirm it, but he cannot share the doc with me, and "that the idea the issue of getting pulled over for not being able to use your turn signal is an imaginative concern." This, is inaccurate, as the inability to actuate turn signals is a safety-critical failure. the service center replaced my steering when and SCCM module, however the issue persisted after the visit, and the service manager of the West Bloomfield, MI service center called me 12 hours before my appointment to deter me from dropping the vehicle off, and then told me this would be a customer pay diagnostic for a warrantable safety failure.

NHTSA ID

11667863

Incident

Apr 1, 2025

I have continuous issues with my steering wheel with the turn signals failing to work. Because the buttons aren't physical buttons, more times than not, they are failing for me to be able to use the turn signal. This causes a major safety concern. I have mentioned it with a service ticket with Tesla, but they state there is no fix for this as of today.

NHTSA ID

11657911

Incident

Apr 24, 2025

Complaint: I took delivery of my new Tesla Model 3 on [XXX], and noticed it pulls hard to the right from day one. The steering shakes constantly, feels unstable, and loses traction—sliding sideways and lurching above 40 mph. It’s dangerous on highways; I’ve nearly lost control multiple times. Service wait times delayed my first visit over a month. Service History: Tesla Service, Dedham, MA, three visits: [XXX]: Techs confirmed pulling, performed alignment—issue unchanged. [XXX]: Pulling replicated, alignment redone—no fix. [XXX]: Supervisor test-drove, claimed no issues, said “normal operation,” and refused further action. Third-Party Input: On [XXX], Electrified Garage (Amesbury, MA), a Tesla/EV specialist, replicated the pulling, shaking, and instability. They suspect a suspension or steering defect (e.g., rack/control arm) and urged Tesla review, citing warranty coverage and parts limits. They called it a safety risk. Current State: The car’s unusable—shaking intensifies above 40 mph, slides unpredictably, and steering resists. I’ve stopped highway driving after near-misses. Tesla’s “normal” ignores this danger. Available for inspection on request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11645455

Incident

Feb 19, 2025

Turn signal capacitive buttons are incredibly hazardous for safe driving. They are failing to register inputs for me regularly as resting your finger on one as is natural in a normal driving position, locks the signal out for a period of time. I had to look down trying to work out why the signal button was not registering my intent to change lanes on a freeway causing significant distraction at a critical time. Manufacturer refuses to do anything as they say it is just normal for the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11641861

Incident

Feb 10, 2025

Vehicle was functioning normally prior to this event. Around 17:30 on 02/10/25 I arrived at airport terminal to pick someone up. I exited vehicle, opened trunk then went back inside vehicle. Upon putting the vehicle in drive I noticed problem with power steering. I had to use excessive force to turn the wheel. I drove forward 100 feet, then pulled over and called Tesla Support. After describing the issue to the agent, she instructed me to put vehicle in park and press and hold both scroll wheels on steering wheel to perform system reset. After 2 attempts the issue persisted. I then exited the vehicle, locked it manually from the app. After 5 seconds I opened the vehicle, put it in drive and steering worked properly. Dry conditions - outside temperature about 30F I noticed that NHTSA is already investigating this issue for certain Tesla Model 3 and Model Y where power steering stopped working. While my issue happened while vehicle was stopped, I am concerned about it happening again while driving on highway

NHTSA ID

11641828

Incident

Feb 10, 2025

The turn signal often fails to operate. It features haptic feedback instead of a physical button. This design is impractical, potentially dangerous, and unwise for use in vehicles.

NHTSA ID

11634004

Incident

Nov 15, 2024

Vehicle Information: 2024 Tesla Model 3 Description of the Problem: We purchased a brand-new 2024 Tesla Model 3 just seven days ago, and we’ve already encountered a serious safety issue: the turn signal frequently fails to function. This problem compromises our ability to signal lane changes or turns, putting our safety and the safety of others at risk, particularly in high-traffic or highway conditions. Inspection and Reproduction: We took the car to Tesla Service, and the service advisor confirmed that this is a known issue with the vehicle. The malfunction has been reproduced and verified by Tesla Service. Safety Risks: The inability to use the turn signal effectively creates a significant safety hazard, as other drivers cannot anticipate our intended movements. This increases the likelihood of accidents, especially during lane changes or turns. Inspection by Authorities: The vehicle has been inspected by Tesla Service, but no inspection has been conducted by any other authorities, such as insurance representatives or law enforcement. Warning Signs: There were no prior warning lights or error messages. The issue became apparent when the turn signal intermittently failed to activate. Request for Action: We are requesting an immediate resolution to this issue, including a repair or replacement of the faulty system, as well as updates on Tesla’s efforts to address this known defect. If no fix is currently available, we request clear communication regarding the timeline for a resolution and any interim safety measures that can mitigate this risk.

NHTSA ID

11632235

Incident

Dec 24, 2024

Occasionally, the Turn Signals decide to not work for a 5 second period. This is a car that is "stalkless" (meaning there isn't a physical turn signal stalk to press), but rather it's touchpad buttons on the steering wheel. While these usually work fine, occasionally when I depress one, I can feel that it does not press down at all, and the turn signal does not turn on. I view this as a SAFETY ISSUE in that a Turn Signal indicates intent to other drivers, and it's unsafe to not be able to use it. Tesla has replaced my steering wheel once (after 2+ months of waiting for "diagnostics") but the new wheel has the same issue. This has been occurring ever since I got this car, and that was many months ago. And I've heard other Model 3 and Model S customers have similar complaints. There is something fundamental going on, and Tesla does not seem to want to solve it on their own. They need to have NHTSA add some priority to this.

NHTSA ID

11629835

Incident

Jul 1, 2024

The right and left turn indicator buttons freeze up, and will not operate for indefinite periods. The problem is intermittent, however, the buttons may be frozen for several minutes before the problem clears. I believe the manufacturer is already aware of this problem affecting numerous 2024 model 3 vehicles. I believe this appears as a definite manufacturer design flaw, and does not appear as reasonable user error, or other isolated random defect. The problem is presently becoming well known to 2024 model 3 owners in all markets, and there are now many online posts by other owners of this vehicle model for this identical problem. I encourage NHTSA to conduct a quick online search of user reported incidents, as an easy starting point. This problem creates a serious safety risk to other drivers, since other drivers cannot be made aware of affected vehicle's driving intentions. There is no reliable means for affected vehicle drivers to predict or reliably control this problem, that I am aware of. The problem also creates a significant distraction for the driver of the affected vehicle, and particularly in situations that require rapid signal intentions, such as multiple immediate left and right turns in quick succession, or, emergency lane change to avoid stalled vehicles, or, intended driver direction following a four-way stop, etc. This problem may also create a potentially unavoidable legal jeopardy for any affected driver, who may face reasonable driving penalties enforceable by police, or, may be held at fault for accident, despite affected driver's best intentions to use or rely on the faulty equipment. I truly believe this is a serious problem worthy of immediate manufacturer recall and permanent remedy by the manufacturer. It is only a matter of time before a serious accident occurs, resulting in possible injury or death to anyone who either drives, or encounters, an affected vehicle. I hope NHTSA will promptly investigate. Thank you.

NHTSA ID

11629381

Incident

Dec 6, 2024

The turn signals are on the steering wheel. Sometimes these buttons are not pressable so I have to turn w/o signaling. That is after taking a risk of an accident. I have run into this multiple times and the stress level of operating the vehicle when that happens is very high. There have been a couple of occasions that I had to signal when the steering wheel is partially turned and I have to look down and do guess work to locate the right button. This is again an energy drain when driving. Traditional stalk is a no brainer and it takes all the thinking and stress away from driving. I consider this vehicle not safe for driving.

NHTSA ID

11625957

Incident

Nov 15, 2024

Since delivery of my new Tesla Model 3, the haptic turn signal buttons intermittently fail to register inputs despite repeated presses. This issue began immediately and occurs without any warning lamps or error messages. I am requesting the NHTSA to investigate this matter promptly due to the significant safety risks posed by the malfunctioning turn signal system in the Tesla Model 3. The inability to reliably signal turns and lane changes endangers not only us but also other road users. **Safety Risk:** • At highway speeds, I was unable to signal lane changes, leading to dangerous situations where other drivers were unaware of my intentions. • In one critical incident, I needed to make an emergency lane change to avoid road obstacles but could not activate the turn signal, nearly resulting in a collision due to surrounding drivers not being alerted. • Driving in high-traffic areas like Austin increases the hazard, as the lack of signaling can lead to rear-end collisions or sideswipes from drivers unaware of merging or turning maneuvers. **Reproduction and Inspection:** First Service Attempt: Reported the issue to Tesla; they replaced the steering wheel after months of waiting. The malfunction persisted, with turn signals failing again on the drive home. Second Service Attempt: Tesla service center acknowledged the problem but stated there is no mechanical failure they can address. They informed me it's a design flaw with the haptic buttons not consistently recognizing presses and that no fix is available. The problem has been reproduced and observed by Tesla technicians but remains unresolved. **No Alternative Signaling Method:** Tesla's design eliminates traditional turn signal stalks, relying solely on these haptic buttons. When they fail, there's no alternative method to signal, exacerbating the safety risk. Numerous reports from other Tesla owners indicate the same problem, suggesting a widespread safety defect that warrants immediate attention.

NHTSA ID

11620132

Incident

Oct 16, 2024

Left and right turn signal buttons located on the steering wheel intermittently does not work when pressed. I have taken my car to a Tesla service appointment on 10/11/24. There diagnostic system did not show an error and Tesla choose not to offer a repair or help of any kind. I feel unsafe driving my vehicle. Upon a google search, it appears I am not the only 2024 model 3 customer with this issue. I am unable to upload a video, but I have one that I can submit if provided further instructions.

NHTSA ID

11619472

Incident

Jul 1, 2024

Steering wheel has buttons for turn signals (they removed stalks in 2024 model 3). I’ve had several dangerous incidents where the turn signal buttons have failed to activate. This caused me to panic and nearly get into an accident on several occasions. I brought in for service and they said this is a KNOWN problem with 2024 model 3. What a joke! They told me to bring it back in once I can replicate it 3 times again. Apparently we are lab rats.

NHTSA ID

11619219

Incident

Oct 6, 2024

The turn signals buttons for the refreshed Tesla Model 3 (Highland) get stuck, preventing drivers from activating either the left or right signal. This malfunction poses a significant safety hazard as it compromises communication with other drivers on the road. There is no indication or symptom prior to the issue appearing.

NHTSA ID

11617065

Incident

Sep 28, 2024

Turn signal buttons on steering wheel are getting stuck and causes them to be inoperable.

NHTSA ID

11616705

Incident

Sep 18, 2024

Twice, could not disengage Adaptive Cruise Control using right scroll wheel. Multiple times, haptic turn signals malfunctioning

NHTSA ID

11610707

Incident

Aug 2, 2024

The turn signal buttons on the wheel frequently fail to turn on the turn signals when pressed. It always seems like when I most need to use them, they fail. I already had the wheel replaced by tesla and was told "this is just how they are" To be clear, when I press the turn signal button on my steering wheel, it will feel like the button will not depress, the turn signal will not turn on, and attempting to lift my finger and place it in other locations to try to press the button will not enable the turn signal. Pushing extremely hard does not work either. It seems like I need to press the opposite direction turn signal button or randomly wait sometimes for it to resolve itself and for the turn signal buttons to work again

NHTSA ID

11606598

Incident

Aug 5, 2024