Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2025 Tesla Model 3 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while in reverse (R) and backing up at approximately 5 MPH down a slight incline, the vehicle accelerated inadvertently. The contact stated that she turned the steering wheel to the right to get on the road. The contact had taken her foot off the accelerator pedal when the vehicle gained momentum and drove backwards about 50 feet and crashed into a tree with the rear end. The contact stated that the passenger side rear bumper and an aftermarket trailer hitch were dented, crumpled, and bent. The contact stated that the rear windshield was cracked on the driver's side. The contact stated that the regenerative braking feature never engaged. The contact also stated the steering had locked, and she was unable to turn the steering wheel. The contact stated that there were no warning lights. …
The contact owns a 2025 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that the vehicle was vibrating while driving at 60 MPH, and the vibration was going to the contact's head. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local Tesla service center, where it was diagnosed with needing the four tires balanced, and the passenger's side rear tire was replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to another local Tesla Service Center at 9950 NW 25th St, Doral, FL 33172) on four occasions. The dealer determined that the tires were unbalanced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the Tesla Service Center, where the suspension torque was adjusted. The tires were rebalanced, but the failure persisted. …
On [redacted], at approximately 8:10 PM PDT in [redacted], I was driving my 2025 Tesla Model 3 (VIN [redacted]) with Full Self-Driving (Supervised) engaged. While FSD was actively steering a right turn at an intersection, the vehicle turned too wide, crossed into the oncoming lane, and collided head-on with another vehicle. Both vehicles were totaled and the airbags deployed. Tesla's own Vehicle Data Report for this crash confirms the FSD system (state: ACTIVE_FSD) was engaged and steering the vehicle in the seconds before impact at approximately 20-26 mph, and that FSD disengaged less than one second before the collision. I was lightly pressing the accelerator (Tesla's documented method to confirm proceeding through an intersection) while FSD controlled steering. No automatic emergency braking prevented the vehicle from entering the oncoming lane during the FSD-executed turn. …
On March 14, 2026, at 20:54:21 UTC, while the Autopilot system was engaged, the vehicle malfunctioned by initiating a sudden, unprompted right-hand steering command within 0.3 seconds, resulting in a collision with another vehicle traveling in the adjacent right lane. Telemetry data from the event confirms the system failed to maintain the lane despite the Primary Steering Torque Sensor measuring 0.00 Nm, proving no driver input caused the maneuver. This unintended steering event at cruising speed created an immediate safety risk to myself and the occupants of the other vehicle. To date, the manufacturer (Tesla) has declined to perform a technical or remote diagnostic review, redirecting the case to a collision center instead. …
- Autopoilt/FSD had a failure and malfunction, the car speeded up on its own and hit the divider while driving on a highway exit road, which is a u shaped road. - Everyone in the car could be dead if I didn't pull the steer wheeling at the last minute to aviod fatal accident, it was horrifying - I have reported the claim to Tesla right after the incident, but they were not responsive in providing a solution, for more than month, they just kept me waiting - No, it has not been inspected - no warning or messages before the crash and the failure, the system all of sudden speed up on its own, causing the crash This is a seriously malfunction and faulty on Tesla's FSD system, they must recognize this issue and take responsibility over it. Yet they keep failing to take any responsibility on it.
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. I have had this issue occur multiple times before and am sure it can be reproduced.
While operating the vehicle at low speed (~35 MPH reducing to a stop) on August 1, 2026, at approximately 10:38 AM under normal road and weather conditions, the vehicle experienced a catastrophic and simultaneous loss of primary braking capability and steering responsiveness. > Detailed Description of Failure: > * Brake Failure: Upon pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to decelerate or stop adequately despite continuous application, nearly causing a collision. > * Steering Loss / Disconnection: Concurrently, while the steering wheel could physically be turned, it offered no directional control-turning the wheel had no effect on the vehicle's path, feeling as if the steering linkage or assist was entirely disconnected or disengaged. …
The indicator buttons randomly disable and also disable if the user rests their finger lightly on an indicator button for some number of seconds. The car is available for inspection on request. Tesla looked at it and said it's "normal" and "expected" for the buttons to disable if you simply rest your finger on the button for too long prior to clicking it in. When this occurs, BOTH indicator buttons will be disabled for upwards of 12 seconds. Neither button will physically click, and the indicators themselves will not activate no matter how many times you try pressing the button. This put the safety of others (AND MYSELF) at risk three times in my one month of owning the car. Tesla did nothing the first time I tried to get it fixed and said it's "normal", and wanted me to leave the service center with nothing done. I refused, so they replaced the entire steering wheel for me. …
Subject: Safety Hazard - Turn Signal Button Placement on Tesla Model 3/Y (Newer Models) Hi there, I am reaching because the newer Tesla models have eliminated the turn signal stalks and instead incorporated the turn signal controls as buttons directly on the steering wheel. This became a critical safety hazard multiple times when taking a turn and had to give the turn indication. The issue happened because the turn signal buttons are not fixed and they rotate along with the rotation of the steering wheel. It makes us look for the turn signal buttons every time the steering wheel is turned and becomes a safety hazard when in motion. Also, it is very challenging when we have to make a right/left turn while on the ramp to take an exit because the buttons are not fixes unlike the turn signal stalks. There were times when we were unable to give the turn signals. …
The steering was hard to turn, and the fully supervised driving mode didn't work. This has happened twice, and both times the issue went away on its own after a few minutes. I performed a soft reset both times, but it did not resolve the issue. The first time, the steering was very heavy, i.e., hard to turn. The second time was less difficult, but in both cases, FSD (Full Self-Driving) did not function. General Guideline questions: 1. The steering system malfunctioned. The car is available for inspection. 2. The car was very difficult to drive. I was able to turn the wheel, but I won't let my wife drive it. 3. No. The nearest service center is 90 miles away, and so far, they want me to bring the car to them. I am still working to resolve this, as I believe this issue requires mobile service. 4. No inspections have been done. 5. Yes. …
Steering complaints in other Model 3 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2025 Tesla Model 3?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the steering of the 2025 Tesla Model 3, 21% of the model year's 121 complaints. The component named most often is steering wheel/handle bar (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2025 Tesla Model 3 steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2025 Tesla Model 3, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2025 Tesla Model 3 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 10,000 miles, and 100% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.