2023 Tesla Model 3 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 88about this part
- Share
- 21%of 428 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 2,430miles
- Trend
- Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
NHTSA recorded 88 complaints about the steering of the 2023 Tesla Model 3, 21% of the 428 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 2,430 miles. 15 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I parked the vehicle. When I returned to it and was about to drive, the steering wheel became too stiff and I had to apply extreme manual force to turn. The code UI_a020 appeared and the message “Steering assistance reduced. Steering may required increased effort.” It happened twice on the same day. I had to stop driving the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11546490, filed 2023-09“While driving yesterday night, I lost steering control. I stopped the car in the middle of the street and tried again but the steering wheel was very stiff. It took so much effort to change the lane and find a safe place to park. It was a scary moment for myself and my 2 kids. I was about to crash into other cars. A message appeared “ui_a020 - steering assist reduced”.”
NHTSA complaint #11539692, filed 2023-08“So thanks to YOUR interference my Autopilot on my Tesla is broken... You guys THINK you are making our cars safer by getting your controlling poorly educated stupid hands into Tesla systems that are DESIGNED TO BE MORE SAFE. On paper Tesla Autopilot is factually proven to be more safe than a human driver, these reports are publicly available perhaps your team was too lazy to read them. …”
NHTSA complaint #11561373, filed 2023-12“On 7/21/2023, I received an alert saying “steering assist reduced”. I could not turn the steering wheel. Luckily I was parked and trying to back out of my spot. The steering assist came back after getting in and out of the vehicle. Contacted Tesla about this and they told me to monitor the situation. I took delivery of my vehicle 7/20/2023 around 3pm EST. So I had the car less than 24hrs.”
NHTSA complaint #11535708, filed 2023-08“OKC Tesla Service Center replaced the steering wheel due to delamination over the weekend. The car was dropped off on Friday the 4th of September 2026. I picked the car up on Monday the 7th. On Wednesday the 9th after getting on the highway and getting up to speed the steering wheel came out of the steering column and was physically disconnected from the car. I was able to temporarily get it back into place enough to get the car to a save location to be towed.”
NHTSA complaint #11763241, filed 2026-09Related recalls
- 25V092000Feb 14, 2025Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles operating software prior to 2023.38.4. The printed circuit board for the electronic…Covers: Tesla Model 3 2023, Model Y 2023
- 23V085000Feb 15, 2023Tesla, 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…Covers: Tesla Model 3 2017–2023, Model X 2016–2023, Model S 2016–2023 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 10247387Oct 11, 2023On some Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, the steering wheel cover material may separate from the steering wheel at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock position (Figures 1 and 2). NOTE: The…
- 10245512Oct 11, 2023On some Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, the steering wheel cover material may separate from the steering wheel at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock position (Figures 1 and 2). NOTE: The…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 24% |
| 2025 | 27 | 22% |
| 2024 | 39 | 18% |
| 2023 | 88 | 21% |
| 2022 | 39 | 5% |
| 2021 | 28 | 4% |
| 2020 | 47 | 10% |
| 2019 | 54 | 9% |
| 2018 | 83 | 8% |
| 2017 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2023 Tesla Model 3
179 complaintsVehicle speed control
69 complaintsOther or unknown
59 complaintsBrakes
56 complaintsElectrical system
51 complaintsLane departure
28 complaintsBody and structure
22 complaintsSuspension
19 complaintsAir bags
18 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsSeat belts
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2023 Tesla Model 3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology