2020 Tesla Model S Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 13%of 80 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 2,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the steering of the 2020 Tesla Model S, 13% of the 80 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 2,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Error message popped on my screen steering might require extra force and shortly after that I lost power steering, cruise control, automatic emergency, braking, forward collision warning land departure etc. Contacted Tesla service to acquire about recalls since I remember reading about it.”
NHTSA complaint #11545828, filed 2023-09“The contact owned a 2020 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH and attempting to make a left turn, the vehicle lost stability and started to slide sideways and left the roadway. The contact stated that the vehicle left the roadway, slid down a ditch on the passenger side, and crashed into a telephone pole on the passenger side front door. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated, also she said that the road conditions were dry pavement. The contact stated that the police were on the scene and filed a report. …”
NHTSA complaint #11567180, filed 2024-01, 29,996 miles“Please note this is 2nd time in one year my axles being replaced due to vibrations and popping noise. They are also changing this to customer even know they installed wrong design axles previously. This should be still under drive train warranty which is 8 yers and u limited mileage”
NHTSA complaint #11492982, filed 2022-11“The contact owns a 2020 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while reversing from his garage, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated steering assist reduce, autopilot safety convenience feature unavailable and park assist unavailable warning lights were illuminated. The contact called the helpdesk for Tesla for help to reset the system. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel seized with the same previous warning lights illuminated. The contact parked on the side of the road. …”
NHTSA complaint #11377510, filed 2020-12, 3,000 miles“Front linkages and half shafts have failed for the second time on the vehicle. They were replaced in Feb of 2022 and now (Nov. 2023) need the replacement again after normal driving conditions. Tesla service center adviser (Briarcliff Road in Atlanta) admitted that these parts fail frequently at this rate and need multiple replacements. If the parts fail, steering would be lost, potentially leading to loss of control of the vehicle. Tesla has published a service bulletin on the issue but charges a very high rate for the service. …”
NHTSA complaint #11557149, filed 2023-11Related recalls
- 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 S 2016–2023, Model X 2016–2023, Model 3 2017–2023 +1 more
- 22V818000Nov 1, 2022Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electronic power assist steering (EPAS) system may experience a loss of…Covers: Tesla Model S 2017–2021, Model X 2017–2021
- 22V037000Jan 27, 2022Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality…Covers: Tesla Model S 2016–2022, Model X 2016–2022, Model 3 2017–2022 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 10208328Dec 10, 2021Some versions of Model S and X front drive unit halfshafts might cause excessive vibrations during hard acceleration at higher ride height settings. This is exclusively an NVH…
- 10203323Sep 21, 2021Some versions of Model S and X front drive unit halfshafts might cause excessive vibrations during hard acceleration at higher ride height settings. This is exclusively an NVH…
- 10177030Jun 17, 2020Some Model S and Model X vehicles might exhibit stiff steering due to corrosion at the lower steering column I-shaft U-joint.
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 2020 Tesla Model S
23 complaintsOther or unknown
14 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsLane departure
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
4 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 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