Tesla MODEL 3 steering problems
548 complaint narratives mention steering terms.
Key facts
4,285 owner complaints analyzed
36 distinct recall campaigns
11,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 to 2026 model years. Data snapshot: . 586 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Steering behavior evidence
548 of 4,285 complaints match this topic (12.8%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
Owner report 11414426 · 2021-04-29 (April 29, 2021)
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR IT RECEIVED A SOFTWARE DOWNLOAD CALLED EMERGENCY LANE DEPARTURE AVOIDANCE WHICH IS TESLA'S FANCY NAME FOR A LANE DEPARTURE WARNING SYSTEM. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR INTO THEIR SERVICE CENTERS 3 TIMES TO HAVE IT REPAIRED BECAUSE IT ONLY WORKS <50% OF THE TIME - NEVER WORKS DURING RAIN, SHADOWS ON THE ROAD, AND VARIOUS OTHER NORMAL ROAD & WEATHER CONDITIONS. EACH TIME I GET THE CAR BACK FROM THE SERVICE CENTERS I'M INFORMED THAT THAT SYSTEM IS WORKING NORMALLY. IN LATE JUNE OF 2020 I PURCHASED THEIR BASIC AUTO-PILOT SO…
Owner-reported narrative. 39,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11414426 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11509183 · 2023-02-26 (February 26, 2023)
Feb 25 around 4pm PT we were driving north on US Hwy 101 using the basic cruise control feature of our Model 3. Based on our settings I believe this would be considered adaptive cruise control, but I'm not sure. Enhanced Auto-Pilot was not in use. On a largely open highway, in particular with no one in front of us, and thankfully, no one close behind us, the car suddenly started to lose speed, not brake, just lose speed. I pressed the right-hand button on the steering wheel and called out "report bug" so there should be an incident record wit…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11509183 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11559386 · 2023-12-10 (December 10, 2023)
I had just finished Supercharging my vehicle from 50% to 80% and when I entered the car to drive home two warnings showed up 1. Steering assist was reduced and it might be more difficult to drive; and 2. Lane departure avoidance warning was not working. I did a hard reset twice - (foot on the brake while pressing the two steering wheel 'wheels') and began driving the 10-15 minute home. After an incredibly scary and difficult drive down a circular driveway, and great difficulty turning the wheel to make a right turn in one try, I picked t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11559386 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11091970 · 2018-05-04 (May 4, 2018)
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF 2018 TESLA MODEL 3. ISSUE DESCRIPTION: ISSUE OCCURRED ON 05/04/18 AT APPROX. 11:52 AM WHILE TRYING TO PARK THE VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT OF A GROCERY STORE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARKING SPACE POSITION WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM THE DRIVER. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED HOWEVER THEY FELT INOPERATIVE. IT FELT AS THOUGH THE DRIVER HAD NO CONTROL OVER BRAKING AND THE VEHICLE HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN. THE DRIVER TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO AVOID DIRECTLY HITTING A DUMPSTER WHILE TRYING TO BRAKE. THE PA…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11091970 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11092162 · 2018-05-07 (May 7, 2018)
HERE IS A VIDEO THAT HAS JUST BEEN UPLOADED TO YOUTUBE: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=4GUHSMIPIQ4 THIS OWNER THINKS IT IS PERFECTLY SAFE TO JAM SOME FRUIT IN THE STEERING WHEEL TO ELIMINATE THE "HOLD STEERING WHEEL" NAGS. HE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A COMPLETE IDIOT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT HE HAS BEEN MISLEAD BY THE HYPE SPREAD BY TESLA AND CEO ELON MUSK. DESPITE SEVERAL FATAL CRASHES MUSK IS STILL SPREADING THE MESSAGE THAT NHTSA FOUND AUTOPILOT IS 40% SAFER THAN A HUMAN DRIVER. NHTSA HAS NOW REVEALED THAT THE CLAIM WAS BASED ON TESLA'S OWN …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11092162 at NHTSA ↗