2013 Tesla Model S Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 29about this part
- Share
- 6%of 461 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 76,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the steering of the 2013 Tesla Model S, 6% of the 461 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The steering rack motor failed causing the steering to become incredibly difficult. Turning the wheels at no or low speed takes great force and turning the wheel at faster speeds takes moderate force. The motor died mid trip, causing a very dangerous situation for myself and other motorists. The motor worked perfectly fine while driving to my destination and failed, thankfully, while I was stopped.”
NHTSA complaint #11399048, filed 2021-03, 133,500 miles“My steering failed at 27000 miles and 5 years. The failure occurred one week before Tesla issued a recall for this issue. The service center says that the recall covers replacing the bolts that fail and not the broken steering rack that occurs because of the failed bolts, so they think that I should pay ~$3000 to repair a known defect and obvious safety hazard. I was lucky that the failure happened when the car was stationary.”
NHTSA complaint #11084066, filed 2018-04, 27,000 miles“Mcu (center screen) failed in my 2013 Model S. I returned to the car after it was parked all day in an outdoor parking lot at work and it would not turn on. Rebooting, other troubleshooting did not remedy. …”
NHTSA complaint #11338854, filed 2020-07, 126,000 miles“I made an appointment with Tesla through the app and they assigned me at a place in berkeley to get the bolts in the steering rack housing replaced (a recall) along with another recall. After dropping off the car they said service was complete. I also have been having an issue with the mcu and they said they ran a diagnostic but couldn't find anything wrong. When they said service was complete I came to pick up my car. They gave it back but when I saw the invoice I noticed they hadn't completed the steering bolt recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #11377515, filed 2020-12, 80,315 miles“We own a 2013 Tesla Model S 85, rear wheel drive, no autopilot. As vehicle aged, the steering was noticeably vague and the vehicle became darty on the highway, seemingly wanting to drive out of the current lane on its own. This dartiness became worse and worse over time, and also was worse when accelerating or decelerating. We first alerted the dealer of the problem in aug 2019, and they replaced few components in the front suspension (both upper control arms and the right forelink) and charged us $1571+tax for parts and labor. …”
NHTSA complaint #11382892, filed 2020-12, 90,000 milesRelated recalls
- 18V204000Mar 29, 2018Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Tesla Model S vehicles equipped with Bosch steering racks. The aluminum bolts that attach the power…Covers: Tesla Model S 2012–2016
Related service bulletins
- 10153425Jan 11, 2019Long-term exposure to high-corrosion environments might weaken the bolts that attach the power steering motor to the steering rack housing.
- 10143008Apr 12, 2018Long-term exposure to high-corrosion environments might weaken the bolts that attach the power steering motor to the steering rack housing.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 17% |
| 2024 | 4 | 11% |
| 2023 | 21 | 18% |
| 2022 | 21 | 15% |
| 2021 | 29 | 16% |
| 2020 | 10 | 13% |
| 2019 | 4 | 9% |
| 2018 | 15 | 9% |
| 2017 | 47 | 11% |
| 2016 | 87 | 13% |
| 2015 | 51 | 8% |
| 2014 | 27 | 7% |
| 2013 | 29 | 6% |
| 2012 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2013 Tesla Model S
195 complaintsOther or unknown
122 complaintsSuspension
92 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
35 complaintsBrakes
25 complaintsVehicle speed control
25 complaintsFuel system
24 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
22 complaintsEngine
21 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsExterior lighting
15 complaintsAir bags
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Tesla Model S
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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