2021 Tesla Model Y Steering Problems

The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal sound while turning the steering wheel to the left or the right. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the lower and upper control arms were failing. The contact was informed that the lower and upper control arms needed to be replaced. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that a service appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11755463

Incident

Jul 24, 2026

Mileage

100,000 mi

Vehicle can become difficult to steer in certain situations

NHTSA ID

11754876

Incident

Jul 25, 2026

The electronic power assisted steering (EPAS) rack on my 2021 Tesla Model Y experienced an internal electronic failure. The failure first occurred while the vehicle was performing an automated parking maneuver (Autopark) at low speed. The vehicle displayed the warning "Steering assist reduced / Steering may require increased effort" (alert UI_a020_SteeringReduced). Using the vehicle's built-in Service Mode, I retrieved the underlying diagnostic fault: EPAS3P_a072_motFeedFwdError, described by the vehicle as "Motor control feed-forward correlation error," set when the difference between estimated motor torque and commanded torque exceeds 1.2 Nm. The vehicle's own diagnostic screen lists the clear condition for this fault as "Replace EPAS," indicating an internal hardware failure of the primary EPAS module. The listed potential impact is "Reduced steering assist and EAC inhibited." The fault initially cleared after approximately three minutes but returned and is now latched: it persists through vehicle reboots and multiple drive cycles. While the fault is active, power steering assist is reduced and lane keeping assistance / active safety steering features are inoperative. Safety risk: steering assist can degrade without warning during low-speed maneuvers, requiring sudden and substantially increased steering effort, and lane keeping assistance is disabled. The failure occurred while an automated driving feature was in control of the steering, with no curb impact, collision, or abnormal use.

NHTSA ID

11749826

Incident

Jul 8, 2026

Error ui_a020 "steering assist reduced" appears without any noticeable steering changes at the moment, but with a warning that steering may become increasingly harder and harder. There were recent recalls on other models of Tesla.

NHTSA ID

11749310

Incident

Jun 30, 2026

The steering is not functioning properly. This is sealed system and no where else I can get it. This a safety issue and I haven't seen any car steering failing like this. Even cars as old as 20 year has no such issues. This is huge slap on of $3k+ on consumer. The cars is hardly 5 year old.

NHTSA ID

11744920

Incident

Jun 12, 2026

A 2021 Tesla Model Y experienced steering/suspension warnings followed shortly by a steering-assist reduction event. On or around May 21, 2026, the vehicle displayed: “Steering alignment service recommended — OK to drive, schedule service soon.” The vehicle was brought to Tesla because the owner was concerned the car had detected a steering, alignment, suspension, or safety-related condition. The Tesla invoice from that visit appears inconsistent. It states that “a wheel alignment check was completed,” but also states “No Labor Performed — Customer Did Not Authorize Repairs or Inspection,” with 0.00 labor hours and no charge. A documented steering/suspension diagnostic inspection, alignment report, alert-log review, or safety assessment was not performed by Tesla or inspected. The owner was advised to replace tires and return later. Approximately 90 miles later, during a low-speed three-point turn, the vehicle made a loud pop/clunk from the front area and displayed: “Steering assist reduced — Steering may require increased effort.” A related alert also stated Lane Departure Avoidance features were unavailable. This created a safety concern because steering effort may unexpectedly increase during low-speed turns or parking maneuvers. Tesla later inspected the vehicle and documented torn front lower lateral/compliance link bushings and vehicle log data showing steering gear alerts. Tesla replaced the front lower lateral links and front lower compliance links and performed alignment work. After those repairs, Tesla stated a steering gear alert was still present and recommended steering gear/steering rack replacement with additional alignment work. The concern is that a steering/alignment warning occurred shortly before the physical front-end failure and reduced steering-assist event, but the earlier Tesla visit does not clearly document that the warning was meaningfully inspected or safety-assessed. Vehicle is currently unsafe to drive and is in Teslas possession

NHTSA ID

11742463

Incident

May 21, 2026

My 2021 Model Y has about 24,500 miles began squeaking when turning the steering wheel or hitting bumps. I read online that many tesla owners had the same issue. The design on these weren't great allowing water to penetrate these parts and cause them to ware down faster. I already paid for the replacement of the upper and lower control arms.

NHTSA ID

11734201

Incident

Apr 12, 2026

Getting message on screen since october 2025. That time total milage on my car was less then 30,000 STEERING ASSIST REDUCED and LANE DEPARTURE AVOIDANCE FEATURE UNAVAILABLE. I did reset / restart the vehicle / soft / hard reset, software update. and This both message got disappear and then again after sometimes its keep coming back. So i did appointment to rocklin tesla center and they gave me cost estimate $5770. Thats way too much so i decline but they said those message might keep popping up because of LOW VOLTAGE DISTRIBUTION AND CONTROLLERS. So i accepted that service and paid $359.68. But i am still getting same both messages on my tesla screen. Sometimes it does comes and sometimes it does not. I did online research and people with same problem stating that because of TESLA's poor manufacturing steering wheel and some kind of faulty circuit board causing this issue. My car never been to any accident and its very low on milage. Please look for other tesla owner who has same problem and tesla has to fix this problem without charging this much amount. Thanks

NHTSA ID

11729305

Incident

Oct 16, 2025

I was entering the on-ramp to [XXX] , from [XXX] , to merge onto the freeway east bound towards [XXX] , when my Tesla suddenly lost all power, the brakes did not work and the power steering completely failed making it feel like it was locked up. I was traveling approximately 40-50 mph at the time nearing the gore point to merge onto the freeway. Fortunately I was in the inside lane and I rolled to a stop away from other vehicles. I could not steer at all. Had I been completely on the freeway, I could have been rear ended badly. I had my two young boys in the vehicle with me, both [XXX] and [XXX] . We were completely trapped in the vehicle with no power. My [XXX] old remembered to use the manual latch to get out. I opened my door manually and It broke my driver side glass window. Vehicles were passing us rapidly to enter the freeway. I called my husband who is a police officer and he came and picked us up. We called Tesla who said they could not get a read on our battery whatsoever. We called a tow company and had this vehicle towed to Tesla repair center in [XXX] , after reporting our traumatic event. They claim our warranty is expired, but our vehicle only has 37,638 miles and should be covered under the 8 year, 120,000 mile warranty that covers a major malfunction like this. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11727700

Incident

Mar 19, 2026

Both torn bushing and broken links at 29k miles.

NHTSA ID

11719252

Incident

Feb 19, 2026

The car suddenly reduced lane assistance and steering assistance functionality. After calling Tesla they said it is not a software issue. I checked the service mode and it indicated a malfunction in the steering assist motor, which apparently costs $3500 to replace. Online, I have found many complaints about this problem that are not resolved by software updates. In addition, there was a large number used steering assist motors for sale online which indicates a more wide spread problem. This is not normal for cars to have this failure prematurely and is a serious safety hazard. I read online that some had their steering EPAS get locked while driving on the highway and nearly destroyed their Teslas

NHTSA ID

11718843

Incident

Feb 1, 2026

front subframe and both front lateral links came loose due to welded nut not present

NHTSA ID

11718301

Incident

Feb 1, 2024

Received a notice that steering assist may be reduced. Other model year Ys have been recalled due to the same issue. It doesn’t make sense that this should fail in a vehicle that is 5 years old with no accidents and low mileage. This is a safety issue due to manufacturing defect and should be covered under warranty.

NHTSA ID

11717262

Incident

Dec 1, 2025

Lower front control arms are bad. Was told by tire company they need replaced. Quote about 2k

NHTSA ID

11713780

Incident

Jan 27, 2026

There is a rip in the lower control bushing making steering difficult to control. I see that this is a common issue but no recall yet. My car has only 28k miles.

NHTSA ID

11713129

Incident

Jan 24, 2026

On Monday 12/29/2025, while driving my 2021 Tesla Model Y on the highway at approximately 70 mph returning from DTW Airport to my home with my children in the vehicle, the steering suddenly locked / the steering wheel would not turn. I was able to pull over to the shoulder. There were no warning lamps or warning messages displayed before or during the failure. After pulling over, I powered the vehicle off and back on. The steering partially worked again, and I was able to drive home. Later the same day at my friend’s house/driveway, the steering locked out again and this time it was completely locked, making the vehicle not safely drivable. Again, there were no warning messages or symptoms prior to the lockout. Tesla Service provided a written estimate documenting the complaint “steering locked out / cannot drive” and proposed replacing the steering gear/steering rack (“Steering Gear LHD,” part number 1188832-00-B) plus alignment, total about $3,127.70, at 96,042 miles. The vehicle and component are available for inspection upon request (Tesla can retain the replaced part). This is a safety defect concern because sudden loss of steering control on a highway without warning could lead to a crash, especially with passengers/children in the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11708722

Incident

Dec 29, 2025

The car has a feature called "curvature assist" that takes control of braking and steering at times when using cruise control. The incidents are at times surprising as there is no curvature present but the braking is suddenly applied. This is a surprise for both the driver and any following traffic. The car would be safer if this feature could be disabled but that is not possible.

NHTSA ID

11700791

Incident

Nov 21, 2025

I’ve had to replace the steering rack, upper and lower control arm for the left wheel, entire computer motherboard. I drove the car for less than 70k miles and zero accidents and zero modifications. Yes I am open for inspection. While driving with fsd lane keep failed causing the car to veer to other lane. The tesla repair shop said the steering rack was sending errors and the whole rack needs to be replaced. They said it was both electrical and mechanical failure. Previously I’ve had the control arms replaced because it was making clicking noise when I turn the wheel. They said it was due to front compliance link and lateral link issues. Also had entire computer board replaced previously. The error message after the incident was lane assist disabled, steering assist reduced. In the maintenance mode it said “ The drive interface (DI) or drive inverter (DIx) electronic control unit (ECU) detects a low voltage (LV) battery undervoltage event.”

NHTSA ID

11680546

Incident

Jul 24, 2025

The power steering became reduced and diminished while driving. Tesla is stating that there is corrosion on the wiring harness ports on the power steering rack. There was no warning until after the incident, but now a “reduced power steering” annunciation appears in the screen. The Tesla repair station has confirmed the condition.

NHTSA ID

11675732

Incident

Mar 15, 2025

The vehicle lost steering at 10 mph as a bolt from the front suspension's upper control arm and lateral link fasteners became loose and detached rom the vehicle. The wheel was completely misaligned, and the vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle could not be moved to the side of the road, putting my safety and the safety of other drivers at risk. I fear that this could have been a fatal accident had I been on the highway. This issue has been confirmed by Tesla Service Center, and they acknowledged that this is a known issue. There were no warning indicators or recall notices sent to warn of this known issue. My vehicle should have been recalled. Tesla is making me pay $3,000 for repairs despite knowing this is a manufacturer defect, and they are continuing to put lives at risk by not issuing a wider recall.

NHTSA ID

11675200

Incident

Jul 11, 2025

Upper control arms wear out and start making sounds

NHTSA ID

11670740

Incident

Jan 1, 2025

My 2021 Tesla Model Y experienced a sudden loss of steering assist, resulting in an extremely heavy steering and loss of steering ability, at highway speed. I needed extreme efforts to push the steering wheel to go off highway to avoid accident. This happened on 6/14/2025 around 3PM. Tesla service diagnosed "internal electrical/mechanical steering rack failure", but no recall was issued for my VIN. I've reviewed NHTSA Recall SB-25-00-004 (2025) for 2023 Model Y involving EPAS/steering assist failure. The symptoms in my car appear identical. I believe the issue may affect more model years than the recall currently covers and request HNTSA investigate further.

NHTSA ID

11669709

Incident

Jun 14, 2025

Steering assistance reduced alert is showing up on vehicle. It is difficult to drive the car. The car has less than 33,000 miles on it.

NHTSA ID

11659635

Incident

May 1, 2025

The Adaptive cruse control would stop working off an on. also it would give false land departure warnings causing driver to swerve thinking they were going to run into another care

NHTSA ID

11655447

Incident

Apr 1, 2025

My steering is making loud noises and so is the suspension. It’s so loud it’s embarrassing to drive. The steering wheel also came apart because it wasn’t glued down properly and had air bubbles. I see recalls for cars but not my specific vin. Tesla says no wheel replacement for me and cost of replacing link assembly parts and bolts would cost me 2000$

NHTSA ID

11646740

Incident

Feb 1, 2025