Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
39
Latest Aug 7, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
13%
of 310 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
5
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1
What this page shows
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2026 Tesla Model Y submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 39 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming steering
The 25 most recent of 39, in the owner's own words
I was driving the car inside the parking garage of the UCLA Medical Plaza in Westwood at around 3:10pm on XXX, looking for an appropriate parking spot. When entering the second basement floor and turning the steering wheel right, to follow the road, the steering wheel was unresponsive and the car felt as if in neutral gear. As the car was on a downward slope, it went straight into the car parked in front. It happened so fast, but it seemed as if the brakes were ineffective. The air bags on the sides were deployed. On the front, the airbag in the steering wheel came out but did not inflate. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ID
11755387
Incident
Aug 3, 2026
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Jul 31, 2026
The Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software on my 2026 Tesla Model Y repeatedly performs unsafe driving maneuvers requiring manual takeover to avoid collisions. Documented incidents with timestamps since June 3, 2026 include: selecting the incorrect lane and then attempting a route correction against a red light; activating the left turn signal while executing a right turn; attempting to enter a freeway from an incorrect lane; repeatedly missing exits, on-ramps, and turns; and making unnecessary lane changes. In one drive on June 9, the system missed two exits, a freeway on-ramp, a left turn, a right turn, and a U-turn twice within 18 minutes. On July 8, 2026, hours after the vehicle was returned from service with the manufacturer's advised mitigation active, the system repeated the same errors and drove the wheel into a curb, causing wheel damage. My safety and that of other road users was put at risk by incorrect lane positioning, incorrect signaling, and a red light conflict. The manufacturer's service center has inspected the vehicle twice (completed July 8 and July 21, 2026). Both visits were closed with no repair performed. The only action was advising me to disable the Online Routing setting as a temporary workaround, which did not prevent recurrence. The manufacturer stated in writing on July 8 that this is a known software-related matter its engineering teams are actively working to resolve, and a service advisor described it verbally as a firmware issue. However, the manufacturer's written response on July 31 states diagnostics identified no faults. A service center supervisor verbally acknowledged experiencing similar behavior on his own vehicle, indicating the defect is not unique to my vehicle. Service records, complete timestamped incident logs, and dashcam footage of the incidents are preserved and available for inspection upon request. No warning lamps or fault messages appeared before or during any incident.
NHTSA ID
11754061
Incident
Jun 3, 2026
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Jul 23, 2026
Crash reported
Tesla took off from a parking lot and was uncontrollable, went through the grass, crossed the street and construction before hitting the barricades and fell into a sewer as the road ended there. There were 2 passengers in the car and luckily both passengers came unharmed. But FSD needs to be investigated on why this happened.
NHTSA ID
11752327
Incident
Jul 19, 2026
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 1, 2026
Steering wheel vibration occurs at highway speeds between 70 and 75 mph on a 2026 Model Y with under 1,000 miles at time of complaint. The vibration was reported to the dealer, who performed a tire balance and alignment check and confirmed both were within specification. The vehicle was tested by the dealer during a service ride-along and no vibration was detected by the technician. However, vibration was independently confirmed by the owner in a same-model loaner vehicle on the same road, suggesting the issue may not be isolated to a single vehicle or tire set. Similar vibration issues have been reported by other owners of the same model year in online owner forums, with no documented fix currently available. Safety concern: reduced steering feedback at highway speeds. The vehicle remains available for inspection upon request.
NHTSA ID
11747655
Incident
Jun 15, 2026
ElectricalFuel systemSteering
Filed Jun 26, 2026
While driving my 2026 Tesla Model Y in June 2026, the vehicle suddenly applied steering input on its own and began swerving left and right even though there were no obstacles in the road. I was driving on a straight section of roadway, centered in my lane, when the steering wheel started moving by itself as if the lane keeping system and steering were confused. I had to fight the wheel in both directions to keep the car from veering toward the curb and toward the adjacent lane. It felt like struggling against another person at the wheel. Fortunately there were no vehicles directly beside me at that moment, so I was able to avoid a collision, but this behavior could easily cause an accident for a typical driver. This incident is part of an ongoing pattern of safety issues with this vehicle. Since late 2025, I have experienced multiple events where the car fails to respond to the accelerator after shifting into Drive and behaves as if it is in neutral until I shift back to Park and then into Drive again including a complete loss of propulsion while driving in moderate traffic. Tesla has already performed recall repairs on the battery/battery contactors and multiple diagnostic visits for intermittent loss of propulsion and steering concerns, but the problems continue. I am filing this complaint because I believe there is a serious defect involving the steering, propulsion system, and lane keeping driver assist systems that could cause loss of control and a crash.
NHTSA ID
11746596
Incident
Jun 17, 2026
Steering
Filed Jun 22, 2026
The assisted steering function has on multiple occasions failed to activate when vehicle is turned on. It will reset if vehicle is left off, then will randomly fail to activate again. Dash warns you that it has not activated and the car becomes extremely difficult to steer. Manufacturer stated steering rack likely needs replaced but wait time to get an appointment to inspect was over 2 weeks. Car has less than 500 miles on it.
NHTSA ID
11745796
Incident
Jun 6, 2026
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Jun 7, 2026
I am writing to formally report a serious safety failure involving Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) feature, which resulted in property damage and a severe safety hazard.While FSD (Supervised) was fully engaged, the vehicle failed to detect a large block of wood in the roadway. The vehicle struck the object, causing significant damage to the brand-new car's left-side tire and body, t touched two other cars hence I called 911 and reported it to ensure they remove the wood. Because I did not know how to manually trigger the dashcam save at the exact moment of the crash, video footage was not captured locally. However, the vehicle’s internal sensors, and Event Data Recorder (EDR) should have logged the active FSD status and sensor data at the time of impact and potentially save it.Immediately following the incident, I contacted emergency services via 911 to report the roadway hazard. I have since visited a Tesla Service Center, where staff informed me that I must wait for the formal complaint process to proceed.Due to recent publicly reported fatalities involving FSD, I strongly believe this software is not safe for public roads, and I have chosen not to renew the feature. I am requesting a comprehensive corporate review of my case. I expect Tesla to pull the vehicle's internal logs, take accountability for this hardware and software failure, provide a full repair of the vehicle, costs about $2000 as estimated by their collision center and issue a complete reimbursement for the damages.
NHTSA ID
11742610
Incident
Feb 23, 2026
BrakesElectricalSteering
Filed Jun 6, 2026
I purchased a new 2026 Tesla Model Y Standard and took delivery on approximately 30 May 2026. Within the first week of ownership, the vehicle displayed multiple safety-related warnings, including: * Steering Assist Reduced * Power Braking Assist Reduced * Automatic Emergency Braking Unavailable * Lane Departure Avoidance Features Unavailable * Automatic Vehicle Hold Disabled The warnings have occurred more than once. They initially disappeared and then returned on a later drive. Both incidents occurred while the vehicle was operating with Full Self-Driving (FSD) engaged. During the most recent occurrence, while parking at less than 3 mph, the vehicle’s braking assistance appeared reduced and the brake pedal required significantly more effort than normal. As a result, I nearly struck a curb because the vehicle did not slow as expected. The warnings indicated that increased steering and braking effort may be required. Because the vehicle is brand new and these warnings involve steering, braking, and collision-avoidance systems, I believe this creates a significant safety risk. I no longer feel the vehicle is safe to drive until it is inspected and repaired. Tesla has been notified and a service request has been initiated.
NHTSA ID
11742507
Incident
Jun 1, 2026
SteeringSuspension
Filed May 16, 2026
2025/2026 Tesla Model Y Juniper experiences noticeable vibration starting at approximately 75 mph on smooth highways. The vibration is felt throughout the entire vehicle: steering wheel, doors, seats, and pedals/floor. It is not limited to the steering wheel. Tire balancing, alignment, and foam checks have all been performed with no resolution. Tesla service states the issue is ‘normal/within spec.’ Video of the vibration with speedometer visible is attached. This matches a widespread pattern reported by other Juniper owners. Video: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ID
11738360
Incident
May 15, 2026
AirbagsDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Mar 25, 2026
Crash reported1 injury reported
On [XXX] 1512PM. Drive on [XXX] with auto pilot driving. Seen on construction and hit some object driver side by front bumper , fender, Side mirror,Door and Wheel. Couldn't avoid crash by control handle. There is none of airbag action. All deployed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ID
11727063
Incident
Mar 12, 2026
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Mar 19, 2026
The FSD system in my Model Y is hazardous. When I first purchased the car on 2/9/2026, they secretly loaded it with very outdated software, as follows: “Software” 2025.44.300 Full Self-Driving v13.2.9 I’ve already driven this car 9960 miles, about 85% of which was on FSD. I will itemize for you a list of events that have occurred with this car with me driving for which dash cam footage exists: 1. The car attempted to blow past a school bus picking up passengers at about 40 miles an hour without even slowing down. It was stacked with red and yellow lights everywhere and had two extended stop signs. 2. The car blows past police cars parked on the shoulder of the highway with their roof lights on without slowing down or making any attempt to move into the second lane. 3. While transitioning from one highway to another on an elevated single-lane overpass, on two occasions the car elected to depart the only travel lane and hug the concrete wall on the left side, driving in the dead zone. Both the yellow line and the white line were clear and bright. No traffic or obstacles present. 4. Right after exiting a hwy there were two lanes in my direction and one lane of opposing traffic separated by a clear and bright double yellow line. The car chose to drive in the lane intended for opposing traffic. I have dash of this as well. No traffic or obstacles were present. 5. Car made left turn into opposing traffic lanes. 6. When NOT on FSD, the lane departure avoidance and emerg. lane departure avoidance features are both HIGHLY defective. They read everything as a lane departure— from tire tracks in the snow, to cracks and seams in the concrete, lines of tar intended to prevent water ingress, shadows, etc. Car almost pulled me HARD towards construction workers, oncoming traffic, and nearby vehicles. Tesla refuses to disable. When I disable, it reenables every time I drive. 7. It ran over a curb on FSD, twice.
NHTSA ID
11725664
Incident
Feb 10, 2026
Steering
Filed Mar 19, 2026
Component: Electric power steering system (steering column rack). Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: Loss of power steering assist renders the steering wheel virtually inoperable, creating an immediate risk of loss of vehicle control for the driver and danger to other road users. The vehicle required towing on November 27, 2025 — one month after purchase (October 25, 2025). Warning symptoms: Steering wheel stiffness and vibration when the easy-entry feature engaged. No warning lamps or messages preceded the failure. Dealer inspection and repair: Tesla service initially indicated the steering column rack required replacement. After five days, they instead applied lubricant as the sole fix. The issue was not resolved. On January 30, 2026, Tesla admitted they do not currently have an adequate solution to properly repair these known defects. Manufacturer acknowledgment: Tesla acknowledged the severity by agreeing a buyback was appropriate. On December 30, 2025, Tesla offered the full purchase price of $46,838.68 but withheld the $7,500 federal tax incentive without legal justification. While I was requesting documentation for this deduction, Tesla unilaterally declared I had withdrawn from the offer. I proposed a same-vehicle replacement as an alternative, but Tesla rejected this. Tesla will only offer a buyback minus the $7,500. Unanswered safety questions: I have repeatedly asked Tesla in writing whether the vehicle is safe to drive and requested disclosure of internal findings, including known safety risks and repair limitations. Tesla has not responded despite multiple requests.
NHTSA ID
11725561
Incident
Nov 27, 2025
SteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 14, 2026
I am reporting a suspected defect involving the front suspension or steering system of my Tesla Model Y. The vehicle produces loud popping, knocking, and rattling noises from the front end when turning the steering wheel at low speeds, particularly as the steering approaches full lock in either direction. The noise appears to originate from the front suspension or steering components and occurs consistently during normal operation. This issue raises concerns about potential premature wear, component failure, or loss of steering control, which could pose a safety risk.
NHTSA ID
11724354
Incident
Mar 13, 2026
Steering
Filed Mar 6, 2026
After a 2 months of ownership, the motor that deploys the steering wheel to the driving position started a deep resistive noise. Took it to the service center in Bend, Oregon October 29, 2025. Their response, consumer education. ("This is normal") Second trip to Bend, Nov 4, 2025 they took the steering wheel off and adjusted the steering column. The problem persisted. The repair center ordered a new steering column. Another trip to Bend, Oregon, December 2, 2025, they replaced the steering column. Within a week, the grinding noise returned in the new steering column. If we activate it twice in succession, the deploying motor overheats and shuts down, leading to the driving wheel (and airbag) in the high and retracted position. Inquiring of the service manager at Bend, OR repair facility, he said Tesla is aware of the problem but does not have a replacement that itself will not have the same problem as the parts that are removed. (In other words, they cannot fix it.) Putting the Airbag in the wrong position while driving would deploy the driver's air bag too high to meet the safety standard under which it was tested and certified for a collision rating. Do I have a lemon?
NHTSA ID
11722518
Incident
Oct 29, 2025
ElectricalPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Mar 6, 2026
On [XXX] I pick up my New Tesla Y. On [XXX], while traveling at highway speeds on [XXX] with Autopilot "FSD" engaged, my 2026 Tesla Model Y experienced a sudden vehicle shutdown and start giving multiple alerts without warning. The vehicle displayed multiple critical alerts: "Vehicle Shutdown", "Pull Over Safely", "Stability Control Disabled." Upon the failure, Autopilot FSD disengaged, and the power steering immediately became extremely heavy ("hard"), making the vehicle difficult to steer. The car lost all propulsion. I had to manually maneuver the heavy, unpowered vehicle through active highway traffic to reach the shoulder, which created an immediate and severe safety risk. The vehicle was towed to a Tesla Service Center in Fort Lauderdale with only 130 miles on the odometer. Technicians confirmed a "major motor failure" of the rear drive unit requiring a full replacement. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ID
11722480
Incident
Mar 3, 2026
Body & structureSteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 4, 2026
I am reporting a suspected defect involving the front suspension or steering system of my 2026 Tesla Model Y AWD. The vehicle produces loud popping, knocking, and rattling noises from the front end when turning the steering wheel at low speeds, particularly when the steering approaches full lock in either direction. The issue is most noticeable when entering or exiting uneven surfaces such as sloped driveways or parking lot entrances where the suspension is under load. During these conditions, the front suspension produces distinct mechanical popping or knocking sounds that appear to originate from the front wheel or suspension area. The noise does not occur while driving straight. It becomes significantly more noticeable when turning left or right at low speeds and worsens as the steering approaches full lock. In addition to the noise, a noticeable mechanical jolt or feedback can be felt through the steering wheel when the popping or knocking occurs. This issue began suddenly without any warning signs. One moment the vehicle was operating normally, and the next the popping and knocking noises began. Since that time the issue has continued consistently during turning maneuvers. The vehicle has not been involved in any collision and has been driven under normal conditions. Numerous other 2026 Tesla Model Y owners have reported similar front suspension symptoms, suggesting this may represent a broader pattern of potential suspension or steering component issues. Because the noise and feedback occur through the steering system while the suspension is under load, this raises concern that a suspension or steering component may be shifting, binding, or prematurely wearing. This condition raises safety concerns because abnormal movement or failure of steering or suspension components could affect vehicle control during turning or emergency maneuvers. I request that this issue be investigated for a possible defect trend affecting Tesla Model Y vehicles.
NHTSA ID
11722114
Incident
Mar 4, 2026
SteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 1, 2026
One only needs to google or ask an AI about "Tesla Model Y Juniper" front end suspension noises and you will find links to hundreds of complaints and at least two YouTube videos now. Based on reports from recent 2026 Tesla Model Y owners, particularly those with the Juniper refresh, the front-end noises over rough or bumpy roads at very slow speeds sound like a widespread suspension-related issue. It's often characterized as a clunk, rattle, or knocking from the front suspension, especially when the suspension compresses and unloads over uneven surfaces like driveways, speed bumps, or minor road imperfections. Youtube link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECerCsSdEeI&list=WL&index=3 For the rubbing-type noises when turning the wheels all the way left/right (full lock), this is another frequently reported quirk in Model Ys, though less tied specifically to 2026 builds. It often presents as a grinding, scraping, or creaking sound. I had scheduled an appointment with Tesla Service, however, there are a lot of cases where the Service Center provides a repair or is supposedly removing the Pencil Braces. Based on all the repairs I've read, 1. The issues still remain. 2. Service Center's don't really seem to know how to provide repairs to fix the issues, and it seems different Service Centers are providing different repairs (they don't really have a fix). 3. There are many cases where supposedly, Tesla Service Technician's are informing customers that Tesla is aware of this widespread issue and their engineers are supposedly working on a permanent solution. I currently don't see any reason to have a Tesla Service Center tear apart my brand-new Tesla, simply to provide a temporary solution. And, if Tesla engineers are indeed working on these issues, I would rather wait. Finally, I am filling this complaint to 1. Notify NHTSA if they're currently unaware of this issue and 2. To have a record of my complaint, if it turns out I need to utilize the Lemon Law or a buy back.
NHTSA ID
11721250
Incident
Jan 13, 2026
Other / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Feb 22, 2026
Crash reported
INCIDENT INVOLVING FSD (SUPERVISED) v14.2.2.4. On February 15, 2026, while the vehicle was operating under Full Self-Driving (Supervised) v14.2.2.4, the system failed to detect a stationary curb. The vehicle initiated a trajectory that resulted in a collision, causing a structural gouge in the passenger-side rear tire sidewall. Per MA 540 CMR 4.04, this damage renders the vehicle unroadworthy. I have saved Dashcam/Sentry video footage as proof of the system's failure to navigate the obstacle.
NHTSA ID
11719682
Incident
Feb 15, 2026
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Feb 11, 2026
I am reporting a safety incident involving my Tesla while Autopilot/Full Self-Driving was engaged. On February 11, 2025 at approximately 9:22 am, on Waccamaw Medical Park Ct Conway, SC 29526, I was driving on a normal city street with the system actively controlling steering and speed. Without any warning or alert, the vehicle suddenly steered to the right toward the curb and struck it. I was very attentive, but the steering movement happened too quickly for me to safely prevent the impact. No forward collision warning, lane departure alert, or disengagement occurred prior to the incident. The impact caused damage to the wheel and tire (see attached photo). This behavior appears to be an incorrect steering decision by the automated driving system after misinterpreting the roadway edge or lane boundary. I am requesting review of the vehicle logs and investigation of the system behavior during this event.
NHTSA ID
11717428
Incident
Feb 11, 2026
BrakesSteering
Filed Jan 25, 2026
Any time you drive my vehicle there’s either violent shaking in the brake pedal, steering wheel, tires. When you try to brake it stutters. Using FSD it failed to stop instead almost hit a pedestrian on scooter and reported the time and date to Tesla. It stuttered and thank god I was able to jam in brakes. After 9 service visit the admitted they missed something and wheel alignment was off and tires were cupped. Along with a bracket for suspension. Which has not solved issues. It scary driving this vehicle especially as a single father who has to make long trips in the weekend for hockey
NHTSA ID
11713177
Incident
Jan 23, 2026
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jan 16, 2026
The defect involves the front suspension and/or steering system of a new 2026 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Symptoms—persistent front-end clunking/thunking (primarily driver-side), steering instability, and vibration—began immediately upon delivery in late 2025, with Tesla notified same afternoon as delivery. The vibration now begins around 60 mph and intensifies with speed. Steering feel is excessively vague on-center (requiring constant correction to maintain lane position) yet overly twitchy and sensitive to inputs, creating inconsistent and unpredictable handling. The condition has progressively worsened and now renders the vehicle unsafe at highway speeds due to risk of loss of control. No warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms have appeared prior to or since onset. Tesla service centers have had multiple opportunities to evaluate the vehicle under warranty. The problem has not been confirmed objectively by Tesla; during at least one evaluation, a technician drove only at speeds below complaint threshold (despite requests to test at the speeds where symptoms occur), stated he did not feel the issue, and performed no further diagnosis. Multiple appointments were canceled or rescheduled by Tesla (including one after I arrived). The vehicle was repeatedly returned without documented objective testing or repair addressing the complaint. During one visit, the Tesla app indicated an active “visual quality check” while the vehicle remained parked outside and not being worked on for an extended period (documented). To rule out tires, I installed a brand-new set; the vibration worsened afterward. Safety risk: Unresolved steering/suspension instability increases the risk of loss of vehicle control at highway speeds, endangering occupants and other road users. Odometer at onset: 15 miles Current odometer: 3596 miles
NHTSA ID
11711573
Incident
Dec 10, 2025
SteeringSuspension
Filed Dec 17, 2025
A structural chassis component (V-brace) was permanently removed from my vehicle by Tesla Service during a service visit. The removal was performed under a Tesla-described engineering retrofit (Tesla Service Article 9188600). The component was not reinstalled or replaced, and Tesla stated that once removed it cannot be reinstalled. The service visit was originally initiated due to a persistent rattle/noise from the vehicle The safety concern arises from: •A permanent modification to a structural chassis component, performed without my authorization. •Removal of a component originally installed for structural reinforcement and stability, creating uncertainty regarding vehicle rigidity, crash behavior, and handling. •The continued presence of an unresolved structural noise/rattle, which can be distracting to the driver and may indicate an underlying structural or mechanical issue. The vehicle was sold and delivered with this component installed, and its removal was not disclosed or approved prior to service. The noise/rattle was present prior to the service visit and prompted the service appointment. The structural component removal occurred during the service visit. The problem was reproduced and confirmed by Tesla Service and they: •Acknowledged the noise/rattle concern. •Performed a structural retrofit involving removal of the V-brace. •Marked the concern as “resolved”, despite the noise still being present. •Later stated the noise is considered “normal”, even though it is not present in all Model Y vehicles, including the Juniper variant. No warning lights or system messages appeared. The only symptom was a persistent rattle/noise originating from the vehicle chassis The vehicle was inspected and modified by Tesla Service, acting on behalf of the manufacturer. The modification was performed under a Tesla engineering directive. No independent service center, insurance representative, or law enforcement agency has inspected the vehicle.
NHTSA ID
11705746
Incident
Dec 13, 2025
SteeringSuspension
Filed Dec 3, 2025
The vehicle exhibits harmonic oscillation in the steering column since the day I drove the vehicle home on the interstate. Even though tires had been balanced out of pocket due to long service center wait times with a road force balancer, balanced again at the service center, match mounted and road force balanced again out of my own pocket, noise reducing foam removed and balanced on an uncalibrated balancer that resulted in a same day bring back and final road force balance. Service center refused to troubleshoot further after lead tech drove vehicle after third attempt of repair. I asked whether the tech felt the vibration and the service advisors face turned red, and fed the line that it is normal NVH from the solid front drive unit mounts and that was Tesla's stance. This issue has been widely reported online to vehicles that are RWD as well. The bad wheel balance exacerbates the harmonic in the column. Exceptional wheel balancing with RVF down to 6lbs on the front wheels only made it less intense. When driving on any uneven road, or crossing bridge expansion gaps for example, the steering oscillation gets worse, as the uneven roads make it worse. Reasonably assumed at this point it is not caused by just a balance issue. Tesla refused to try a set of known good wheels on the vehicle. This is not normal NVH or general road feel; something in the front end of the vehicle gets into harmonic oscillation. I asked if Tesla would like to keep the car for a proper diagnostic and whether they had looked into other components of the front end, and if they were not going to diagnose further I'd request a buyback. The simple response was that a buyback request would be initiated. It could be a myriad of issues, none of which should be my responsibility to try and track down or fix on a vehicle that exhibited the behavior since day one and still does after 1500 miles. I've passed the account to the service center manager and district manager yet to no reply.
NHTSA ID
11702670
Incident
Dec 1, 2025
Driver assistanceElectricalSteering
Filed Dec 2, 2025
Approximately one month after purchasing a new vehicle, the steering system suddenly failed without any warning. While the car was parked at home and started normally, the steering wheel became extremely heavy, hot, and then completely locked. The vehicle could not be steered at all and became entirely non-drivable. Multiple warning messages appeared, including warnings related to reduced steering assist effectiveness and lane departure avoidance being unavailable. This occurred at approximately 1,000 miles. The failure happened suddenly with no prior symptoms. This defect created a serious safety risk. If this had occurred while driving, it could have resulted in loss of vehicle control and a potential crash. The vehicle was not drivable and had to be towed to a Tesla service center. The issue has been reported to Tesla and is currently under inspection. The exact cause of the failure is UNKNOWN at this time. A sudden and complete loss of steering control on a nearly new vehicle is extremely dangerous and indicates a potential defect in the steering system or related electrical components.
NHTSA ID
11702579
Incident
Nov 30, 2025
SteeringSuspension
Filed Dec 2, 2025
Severe lateral swaying / side-to-side swaying (“boat-like” or “floaty” motion) at highway speeds (65–80 mph) on any concrete-surface interstate, especially grooved or slightly uneven concrete (typical on Illinois highways such as I-90, I-294, I-55, etc.). Description of safety concern: The vehicle continuously rocks side-to-side in a pronounced, pendulum-like motion that requires constant steering corrections to stay in the lane. The motion is severe enough to cause motion sickness in passengers within minutes and makes the driver tense and fatigued. In crosswinds or when passing trucks the swaying becomes even worse and feels unstable. I no amount of lane centering or driver input fully eliminates the sensation. Service history: December 2025 – Schaumburg, IL Tesla Service Center • Technician test-drove with me on I-90 and immediately felt the exact swaying I described. • Service advisor and service manager both stated this is a “normal characteristic of the 2025 Model Y Juniper” and that no repair or adjustment is possible. • Loaner 2025 Model Y Juniper provided exhibited identical swaying behavior. I do not believe constant, pronounced lateral instability at normal highway speeds is an acceptable “characteristic” in any passenger vehicle. It impairs control, increases driver fatigue, and creates a legitimate safety risk, especially in adverse weather or emergency maneuvers. Tesla refuses to acknowledge this as a defect. I am therefore requesting NHTSA investigate whether the 2025 Tesla Model Y suspension calibration and/or damper tuning creates an unreasonable safety risk due to excessive lateral instability on typical U.S. concrete highways
NHTSA ID
11702553
Incident
Dec 1, 2025
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own