2021 Tesla Model 3 with approximately 110,000 miles. Loud creaking/squeaking noise from the front suspension (primarily passenger side) when driving at low speeds over bumps and during slow turns. The noise matches the known front upper control arm ball joint water intrusion issue documented in Tesla service bulletin SB-20-31-006 and widely reported by other Model 3 owners. No warning lights, messages, or other symptoms. The component is available for inspection. I have scheduled a service appointment with Tesla but the vehicle has not yet been inspected or repaired by the manufacturer or any independent shop. While currently only a noise (NVH) issue, progressive wear of this ball joint can lead to play in the suspension, uneven tire wear, degraded steering feel, and potential loss of control if the joint fails.
2021 Tesla Model 3 steering problems
28 complaints (4% of all complaints for this car). 10 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 28
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- crashes
- 10
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Automated/adaptive steering1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Tesla Model 3 steering problems in other years
Related recalls
Steering: automated/adaptive steering
- What is wrong
- Tesla, 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 (FSD Beta) software or pending installation. The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.
- Risk
- FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1‑877‑798‑3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-001.
Recall number 23V085000 · Recall details
Steering: automated/adaptive steering
- What is wrong
- Tesla, 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 available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop.
- Risk
- Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1‑877‑798‑3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-001.
Recall number 22V037000 · Recall details
What 2021 Tesla Model 3 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I have a model 3 2021 Tesla. I noticed that several times it gives me the alert for steering wheel malfunction when it rains. In these instances the car will completely froze in the middle of the highway. I noticed Tesla had a recall for the 2023 Tesla’s for the same issue but failed to inspect the 2021 that also has similar issues. I think this is a huge safety issue that’s a manufactured issue that could have cost me my life
My steering suddenly got extremely stiff on the highway while driving. There was a warning that assist will be reduced but no assist was present. I had to use all my strength to turn the steering and pulled into a parking lot with great difficulty. Then I reset the main computer and the power steering was functional again. I was lucky since the traffic was moving slower than usual but it could have been very dangerous and was a major safety concern.
After Tesla replaced my high voltage battery in May of 2024 all of the following started to happen. Prior to the replacement none of these issues were present. While driving under normal conditions, my 2021 Tesla suddenly and violently steered into an oncoming lane or toward the roadside without any driver input. The steering wheel physically turned on its own with force. Full Self-Driving was NOT engaged at the time of the incident. This was not lane assist correction and occurred without warning. Importantly, the vehicle did NOT issue a warning at the time of the steering event. A “Take Control Immediately” message appeared several minutes AFTER the incident, not before or during, indicating a delayed or failed system response. This defect began immediately after a High-Voltage Battery replacement performed by Tesla Service in May 2024 and has occurred multiple times since. The incident presents a serious safety risk, including loss of vehicle control, roadway departure, or head-on collision. In addition to the steering defect, the vehicle began exhibiting multiple electronic and control anomalies immediately after the High-Voltage Battery replacement. These include navigation/map screen failures, windows adjusting themselves while driving, random “cannot shift into drive” warnings, system failure messages, camera malfunctions, and unexpected screen reboots. These issues did not exist prior to the battery replacement and support the presence of an underlying electrical or control system instability related to the steering defect.
Steering wheel is peeling/degrading and causing difficulties with steering and control.
Steering rack failure. Steering assist, auto pilot and lane departure prevention failed and would not work properly so this is a safety issue. Manual steering worked fine but the safety and auto pilot functions would no longer function. Paid for Tesla service over $3,000 to replace steering rack and now is working properly. Reporting this as this may happen to others and probably should be a proactive recall on the steering racks so others don't lose these safety features. Maybe related to computer as it failed, worked again and then failed again and was then repaired by Tesla service center.
While driving a Tesla 2021 model 3 tonight at 8:45 P.M. turning left the wheels locked to the left and would not turn straight causing me to hit a concrete divider. After hitting concrete divider steering released to normal driving but driver side car front rim tire was damaged and wheel alignment misdirected.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - ABS, Automatic Emergency Braking, Traction Control, Stability Control failed while braking using the regenerative braking. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - While coming to a stop using the regenerative braking, the regenerative braking immedietely ceased to work, and the driver had to immediately apply the hydraulic brakes to avoid a rear end collision Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? - No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - No, they appeared while braking. This issue is not new to this vehicle and has happened in the past, however the errors cleared themselves out.
Unknown
1. Autosteer/Lane assist failure, yes its available for inspection upon request with Tesla 2. Due to above failure met with a crash which led to severe medical issues 3. The car has been totalled and the car is not functional, waiting on Tesla to inspect and confirm 4. Police has filed a crash report but manufacturer, insurance yet to inspect the vehicle or component 5. Absolutely NO WARNING lamps/messages prior to the failure.
Questions about the 2021 Tesla Model 3 steering
Does the 2021 Tesla Model 3 have steering problems?
Owners have filed 28 complaints about the steering of the 2021 Tesla Model 3, 4% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2021 Tesla Model 3 steering problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Tesla Model 3 steering?
Yes, 2 recalls: 23V085000, 22V037000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Tesla Model 3 have bad steering?
The Tesla Model 3 model years with the most steering complaints are 2023 (89 complaints), 2018 (85 complaints) and 2019 (54 complaints).
Other 2021 Tesla Model 3 problems
Driver assistance 431Brakes 126Acceleration 123Electrical 80Visibility 34Body 17Transmission 17Suspension 16Seat belts 15Fuel system 10Airbags 8Lights 8Locks 7Engine 6Seats 6Wheels 6Tires 3
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