2025 Tesla Model 3 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 27about this part
- Share
- 22%of 123 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 9,137miles
- Trend
- Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
NHTSA recorded 27 complaints about the steering of the 2025 Tesla Model 3, 22% of the 123 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 9,137 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Tesla Full Self-Driving (Supervised) repeatedly ignored the “Avoid Toll Roads” navigation setting and attempted last-second lane changes into Express Toll Lanes at freeway speeds. This has occurred approximately 10 times. I was repeatedly forced to take over steering immediately to avoid entering the toll lane, creating a serious safety risk due to sudden maneuvers in heavy traffic. On several occasions, I could not safely intervene before the lane change was completed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11747730, filed 2026-07“On my 2025 Tesla Model 3 Highland, the right-turn signal button on the steering wheel fails to activate approximately 25–30% of the time. The issue is random and unpredictable. This has occurred while changing lanes on the freeway and when turning into shopping centers or side streets, leaving drivers behind me unaware of my intent and creating a safety hazard. The problem is worse when lane assist is active, as the vehicle resists the maneuver when the signal doesn’t engage, interpreting it as lane departure. …”
NHTSA complaint #11695969, filed 2025-10“The vehicle has loud creaking and groaning noises when turning the wheel at low speed or at a standstill, I’ve taken it to a Tesla service center where they claimed that this is just a characteristic of the vehicle yet I myself and a mechanic and understand that the fundamentals of suspension are the same regardless of what type of vehicle it may be and know that this is actually a known issue with Teslas especially with Model 3s. My vehicle is at 10,683 miles and still within the warranty, on Friday, September 26 at 8 AM. …”
NHTSA complaint #11690145, filed 2025-09“I am submitting this complaint to report a safety issue with the turn-signal buttons on my steering wheel of the 2024–2025 Tesla Model 3 Highland. The turn-signal buttons are located on the steering wheel surface instead of a traditional stalk. When the steering wheel is turned at any angle, the buttons are difficult to locate by feel, often requiring the driver to look down to activate them and take his eyes off the road. Trying to signal during turns, lane changes, or roundabouts is not intuitive, and I have nearly had several collisions. …”
NHTSA complaint #11702420, filed 2025-12“While making a wide right turn at an intersection I heard three warning beeps before the steering wheel locked. I was unable to correct the steering. When I realized it wasn’t allowing the steering to correct, I began to brake, causing me to drive over a curb, ultimately stopped by a fence and cactus in someone’s yard. This is a huge safety concern, as children could’ve been playing in the yard, or farther up the road where a curve has a 30 foot embankment I could have rolled into. I have scheduled a service appointment with Tesla to have it looked at. …”
NHTSA complaint #11661756, filed 2025-05Steering: 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 2025 Tesla Model 3
37 complaintsForward collision avoidance
30 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsLane departure
18 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsWheels
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2025 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