2018 Tesla Model 3 steering problems

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · CA

2018 Tesla Model 3, VIN [XXX]. Rear-right ABS wheel speed sensor failed 3–4 days after Tesla Burbank replaced it on XXX (invoice XXX). First alerts XXX (ABS disabled, Drive with caution, TPMS). Failure confirmed XXX (AEB unavailable). Returned from vacation XXX; Tesla replaced same part again (invoice XXX $167.76). Tesla notes state only that sensor “was cut”; no animal damage recorded.I photographed the failed sensor XXX. It shows a single clean angled cut through the black jacket with conductor and red insulation on the same flat face. No tooth marks, scalloped bites, shredded insulation, or nesting material — a shear, not rodent damage.Service Manager [XXX] first blamed a rabbit, then wrote it “was an example” and that Tesla does not need droppings, nesting, or chew marks to call a severed harness outside damage. He has no photos from the 8/18 install; the tech is on leave. Two emails to [XXX] went unanswered. Related BAR complaint filed (ref XXX).Rear wheel speed sensor feeds ABS, traction control, and Automatic Emergency Braking. Failure disables these safety systems. A part that fails days after Tesla service with an undocumented “cut,” followed by a warranty denial based on inference rather than evidence, indicates possible workmanship or installation issues that could affect other vehicles. Requesting the federal safety agency review of Tesla’s service practices for this component.Tesla Service Burbank, [XXX], [XXX]. [XXX], [XXX].[XXX], [XXX], [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 31, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · TX

Heard a clunk noise when the vehicle turned at a low speed. Inspected the vehicle but nothing seemed amiss. No digital warnings either. Started driving but the steering was weird and pulled to the left. Then the front left tire started shredding and the wheel was displaced. The tow truck guy said that the suspension seems to be the culprit. The car is now on just the wheel. Tesla collision has still not looked at it but gave a quote of 5-6K to start and going up to 12K or more (if the HV battery got damaged). FYI, tire pressures were normal when this happened.

Filed Oct 26, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · CA

I drove over a bump in the road and all of a sudden the car started making a very loud clunky noise in the front suspension. I was close to home so I turned around and drove it back home for inspection. I found the lower control arm on the suspension is completely disconnected because the bolt is backed out of the joint. The steering had occasionally made some creak sounds in the past but it never felt loose. Seeing the lower control arm disconnected could have severely limited the steering of the vehicle thus this seems like a serious safety issue. I have scheduled an appointment for repair with Tesla Service.

Filed Oct 25, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · OH

The front left and right lower link assemblies suffered premature structural failure and required immediate replacement at 74,068 miles due to a loss of steering stability. The repair was completed at a Tesla Service Center out-of-pocket for a total cost of $1,564.04

Filed Oct 17, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · OR

This is to serve as a registered complaint in conjunction with the premature component failure and degradation of front lower lateral links and suspension parts under the federal safety agency investigation PE26006. In August 2026 while operating my 2018 Tesla Model 3 while driving at all speeds experienced a failure of the front suspension system. There was an intense creaking/groaning/clunking noises from the front wheels and/or front suspension that we felt extremely uncomfortable operating the vehicle fearing for the safety of the passengers. Upon taking the vehicle to the Tesla Service Center, technicians diagnosed the vehicle with severely degraded and failing front lower arms, compliance links, and control arm bushings. My vehicle only had a little over 29,000 total miles on the odometer. This premature degradation represents a critical component failure rather than standard wear and tear. A failure or detachment of the lower lateral link at highway speeds presents an immediate safety risk due to potential loss of directional steering control. This failure is directly identical to the conditions outlined in the federal safety agency Office of Defects Investigation Preliminary Evaluation PE26006, opened on July 29, 2026, targeting front lower lateral link failures on 2018–2020 Model 3’s. The issue has since been repaired by Tesla Service on October 6, 2026. I am filing this complaint to formally document this premature safety component failure for the ongoing PE26006 federal investigation. We stopped driving the vehicle and used our other cars, waiting for appointments at Tesla, as well as waiting for the parts to arrive, which took quite a while. Thankfully, we had a couple other cars that we were able to use while we were waiting for the repair to be performed.

Filed Sep 15, 2026 · Steering · 81,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving 4 MPH, the front sway bar detached from the vehicle, and the contact lost steering control. The vehicle was towed, and a service center was contacted but informed the contact that the repair was not covered because the VIN was not included in a recall associated with the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

Filed Aug 31, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · CA

This is a follow-up to a previously submitted complaint regarding the same issue. I am submitting this update to reference the federal safety agency's recently opened investigation into 2018-2019 Tesla Model 3 suspension failures. Previous complaint ID is 11732882.

Filed Aug 1, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · OR

Concern: Suspension Noise - What location is the noise coming from? Front. Suspension or Steering. What best describes the issue? Noise from suspension when driving on uneven roads. Repair Notes: Inspected Front Suspension for Activity 01 (Front suspension noise). Found torn bushings on Front Lateral Links and Compliance Links. Heavily torn on LH side. Safety concern. Both LH and RH Front Lower Compliance link and Lateral Links replacement recommended. Wheel alignment required for Lateral Link replacement.

Filed Jul 31, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · 76,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking uncontrollably. The contact pulled over and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer determined that the front control arm had detached from the front passenger’s side wheel. The dealer replaced the front control arm, lateral link, and steering column. The contact stated that there was no impact to the vehicle to have caused the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.

Filed May 23, 2026 · Steering · NH

After an over the air software update this past week 2026.14.6 my Tesla Model 3 power steering has failed. EPAS shows ACTICE in service mode, calibration was successfully completed and there are no active EPAS/rack faults. Power steering assists at higher speeds but fails below 20mph. Tesla has a history of steering related software problems and needs to take ownership of the problem.