2022 Tesla Model 3 steering problems

Filed Oct 24, 2026 · Brakes, Steering · AZ · crash · 2 injuries

In a rented 2022 TESLA MODEL 3 entering a right veering on-ramp, the vehicle failed to respond to driver steering inputs at normal speed. I released the accelerator and there was no degenerative braking. I applied brakes, but the ABS was violently shaking without stopping and I noticed something illuminate on the computer screen. Unable to turn the steering wheel at all, we made severe impact with the left guardrail injuring both my wife([XXX]) and I. The Steering Assist Reduced warning light remained illuminated after the accident and I took a picture. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 19, 2026 · Steering · FL · crash

My Tesla was operating with Full Self-Driving (FSD) (Supervised) engaged when it initiated a left turn across the path of an oncoming vehicle traveling in the opposite direction, resulting in a collision. During the incident, FSD was controlling the vehicle's driving behavior and initiated the left turn despite the presence of oncoming traffic. The Tesla collided with the approaching vehicle while executing the turn. I am concerned that the FSD system failed to properly recognize or respond to oncoming traffic, failed to determine whether the left turn could be safely completed, or made an unsafe decision to turn across the path of another vehicle. This incident created a significant safety risk for the occupants of both vehicles. I believe the collision may indicate a safety-related problem involving FSD's intersection handling, left-turn decision-making, detection of approaching vehicles, or collision avoidance capabilities. I request that the federal safety agency review this incident as a potential FSD safety defect and obtain relevant FSD engagement records, vehicle telemetry, camera footage, steering commands, and collision data from Tesla to determine why the vehicle initiated the left turn into oncoming traffic.

Filed Oct 6, 2026 · Airbags, Brakes · CO

"Subject vehicle (2022 Tesla Model 3, VIN: [XXX]) was deployed for commercial rideshare passenger transportation by fleet operator Hertz/Uber with active catastrophic life-safety system failures. Onboard Tesla Service Mode telemetry confirmed: (1) Restraints Control Module (RCM) is powered OFF with status 00, leaving primary front and knee airbags and seatbelt pretensioners completely inoperative during public commercial transit; (2) Master Cylinder Hydraulic Brake Pressure telemetry is registered as 'Unavailable' under iBooster (IBST) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP); (3) Steering torque calibration offsets of -97 Nm and -14° angular pulling bias were applied to compensate for structural suspension collision damage; (4) Active diagnostic trouble code VCFRONT_a611 radiator heat rejection failure causing severe battery and powertrain thermal throttling; and (5) Non-functional windshield wipers and blocked camera sensors violating FMVSS 104 and FMVSS 208." INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 20, 2026 · Steering · NJ

My 2022 Tesla Model 3 has experienced recurring intermittent loss/reduction of power steering assistance. The vehicle displays “Steering assist reduced – Steering may require increased effort.” The problem has occurred multiple times over a period of months and may disappear after the vehicle is power cycled or the alert clears. Tesla previously evaluated the vehicle for this condition. On July 8, 2026, Tesla documented the steering-assist-reduced complaint and recommended replacement of the RWD steering rack/steering gear, with an estimated repair cost of approximately $3,018. On August 20, 2026, the warning occurred again. Tesla Service Mode recorded fault EPAS3S_a005_sent2Mia, described as “Torque Sensor 2 signal not received,” with the potential impact listed as “Steering assist reduced.” The vehicle simultaneously generated UI_a020_SteeringReduced. The warning subsequently cleared again, but this is a recurring intermittent failure involving the vehicle’s electronic power-assisted steering system. I am concerned that the steering assistance could become reduced or unavailable while driving. Tesla has already determined that replacement of the steering rack is required, but the repair is customer-pay. I am reporting this because this appears to be a recurring safety-related steering defect and I am concerned that other vehicles may experience the same failure.

Filed Aug 13, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · MD

I am the owner of a 2022 Tesla Model 3. The front control arms on this vehicle are defective as manufactured. From the factory, these components have demonstrated premature failure, abnormal noise, loosening, and/or separation risk that is not consistent with normal wear on a low-mileage vehicle of this age. Symptoms experienced include [describe your exact symptoms clearly and factually — examples: progressive clicking, clunking, popping, or creaking from the front suspension/wheel area; especially noticeable during low-speed turns, reverse, or over bumps; any feeling of looseness, pull, or change in handling; any actual detachment or near-detachment]. These symptoms began at approximately 75000 miles on July 27th 2026. This is not isolated wear. Front control-arm and related suspension-link failures (including lower lateral links that can detach from the subframe) have been the subject of multiple owner complaints, prior Tesla recalls (including the federal safety agency campaign 21V‑835 for improperly torqued lateral-link fasteners on certain Model 3/Y vehicles and the later 23V‑235 expansion), technical service bulletins addressing water intrusion and noise in upper control arms, and a current the federal safety agency preliminary evaluation (opened 2026) into front lower lateral-link detachment on a large population of Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. Owners report that failures can occur with little or no prior dashboard warning, only possible audible cues, and can render the vehicle undrivable or cause sudden changes in alignment and directional control. A sudden separation or failure of a front control arm/lateral link while the vehicle is in motion creates an unreasonable risk of loss of vehicle control, crash, or injury to the driver, passengers, and other road users. Because the condition appears to originate from factory assembly, design, or component durability issues rather than owner abuse or ordinary high-mileage wear, and because similar failures are widely reported across Tesla owners.

Filed Aug 7, 2026 · Driver assistance, Steering · TX

My car randomly gave me alerts that my steering alignment fault then came the following two days later Automatic Emergency Braking is unavailable Feature may be restored on next drive 20:55 | DI_a246 Automatic vehicle hold disabled Use brake pedal when stopping 20:55 | DI_a223 Traction control disabled Drive with caution 20:55 | APP_W264 Lane Departure Avoidance features unavailable Features may be restored on next drive 20:55 | DI_a222 Stability control disabled. I take my car to a mechanic and they show me that my lower control arms are damaged. Tesla is more than 2 weeks out for something that has caused my car to act completely unsafe and not normal.

Filed Jul 31, 2026 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · CA · crash

U.S. registered Tesla operating in [XXX]. Full Self-Driving engaged. Dark, nighttime conditions. Vehicle was traveling toward low traffic zones near the edge of [XXX] when the system made a severe mistake. The car went off the main road. Driver was forced to take control off-road after the system lost control. Damage to the rims occurred. At the time of this incident, manual speed control was still available. The driver could cap the speed. That capability has since been removed by a software update. The current version is more dangerous. If the same incident happened today, the driver would have no way to limit speed or prevent the system from repeating the error. The defect is the progressive removal of driver control from the Full Self-Driving system. Earlier versions allowed manual speed caps. Current software does not. This vehicle is U.S. registered and runs U.S. software on American roads. The same defect that caused this off-road incident in Mexico now exists without the safety net of manual speed control. The software is dangerous. The removal of driver overrides makes it worse. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 29, 2026 · Acceleration, Body · TX · crash · 1 injury

My wife had a collission on June 25th at 2 30PM CST while she was parking her vehicle in her office parking spot. The car suddenty sped and hit a tree. We suspect it be a misfire in Tesla.

Filed Apr 25, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · CA

2022 Tesla Model 3 with approximately 19,373 miles. Third-party tire shop inspection on April 25, 2026 identified visible tearing of front lower control arm bushings on BOTH sides (bilateral failure). Rubber bushing material has separated from inner metal sleeve on both left and right front lower control arms in identical pattern. No impact event or curb strike. Symmetric bilateral failure indicates manufacturing/material defect, not impact damage. Failure occurred at mileage well below the 40,000-70,000 mile range commonly cited for this known Tesla Model 3 lower control arm bushing wear pattern. Suggests accelerated failure mode that warrants investigation. Photos from third-party inspection attached. Vehicle scheduled for Tesla service center evaluation under remaining factory warranty.

Filed Feb 24, 2026 · Driver assistance, Steering · CA

While using Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and other highways, the vehicle’s automated steering system repeatedly malfunctions by failing to maintain lane centering. Specifically, the car drifts or actively steers across double yellow lines into the lane of oncoming traffic. This issue is a persistent failure of the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) and Lane Keeping Assistance. The vehicle has attempted this maneuver multiple times at [Approximate Speed, e.g., 40-60 mph], requiring immediate and forceful manual steering intervention to avoid head-on collisions with oncoming vehicles. The system provides no warning chimes, error messages, or "Take Over Immediately" alerts prior to crossing the lines; it appears to perceive the oncoming lane as a valid path or fails to recognize the double yellow boundary entirely. This has occurred during [mention conditions: e.g., bright daylight with high glare / night time]. The vehicle is equipped with Hardware 3.0 (HW3). I believe the 1.2-megapixel camera suite or the processing power of the HW3 computer is insufficient to safely navigate the geometry of the PCH or any roads within mountains/hills. I have attempted to "Clear Calibration" and performed system resets, but the life-threatening behavior persists. The vehicle and its internal data logs are available for inspection. I have also sent "Bug Reports" via voice command to the manufacturer immediately following these near-miss events.