2016 Tesla Model S steering problems

Filed Oct 8, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · MN

Rear left control arm failed while driving causing loss of steering and suspension

Filed Jul 22, 2026 · Steering · PA

While driving my vehicle straight approaching an intersection, I lost complete steering capability and feedback from the steering wheel. The lower intermediate shaft on the steering column complete separated from the splines on the rack and pinion. If I wasn't already preparing to stop at the stop sign this could have happened while driving on a curve in the road or at high speeds on a highway. The car was taken to a Tesla service center for repair (towed at my expense). I was told by the service representative that this is issue was not a safety issue nor product fault of Tesla's and the repair would need to be out of pocket ($8,500). There were no indicator lights nor warnings of a steering problem prior to the incident. Tesla has a known safety service bulletin for this model which states the u-joint on the intermediate shaft may become corroded and seize due to exposure to wintery conditions forcing binding in the steering wheel, and this issue is not considered a safety risk. It does not state the shaft may come off while driving the car.

Filed Jul 22, 2026 · Steering · PA

While driving my vehicle straight approaching an intersection, I lost complete steering capability and feedback from the steering wheel. The lower intermediate shaft on the steering column complete separated from the splines on the rack and pinion. If I wasn't already preparing to stop at the stop sign this could have happened while driving on a curve in the road or at high speeds on a highway. The car was taken to a Tesla service center for repair (towed at my expense). I was told by the service representative that this is issue was not a safety issue nor product fault of Tesla's and the repair would need to be out of pocket ($8,500). There were no indicator lights nor warnings of a steering problem prior to the incident. Tesla has a known safety service bulletin for this model which states the u-joint on the intermediate shaft may become corroded and seize due to exposure to wintery conditions forcing binding in the steering wheel, and this issue is not considered a safety risk. It does not state the shaft may come off while driving the car.

Filed Jun 22, 2026 · Steering · PA

I was driving straight down a road at 10 mph approaching a stop sign. When I lost complete control of steering, the steering wheel was completely free. Moving with no response to the wheels. There was zero warning lights or check engine notifications. The intermediate shaft in the steering column completely disconnected from the rack and pinion with both the upper and lower bolts still attached to the intermediate shaft. I was able to stop the vehicle but it remained in the middle of the traveling lane of the road due to zero steering capability. I called AAA to have the vehicle moved out of the public street and towed to my residence. Tesla has a service bulletin for this part stating it needs to be replaced with a new upgraded part but it is not a voluntary recall as they stat it is not a safety or life threatening risk.

Filed Jan 8, 2026 · Airbags, Electrical · CA

-Airbag warning light on -Horn not working -Steering wheel scroll buttons not working -Clicking noise when turning wheel This failure occurred during normal driving. Airbags will not deploy and horn is inoperable, creating a safety risk myself and my family. I have never been into any accidents and have only driven normal. These safety systems should not fail. This is a manufacturing issue.

Filed Apr 7, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · 79,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2016 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while attempting to park the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact depressed the brake and the vehicle kept rolling forward. The contact opened the door for the vehicle to come to a stop. On another occasion, the contact stated that the ADAS feature engaged and while driving at various speeds, and the vehicle failed to recognize stop signs, traffic lights, or pedestrians. The contact stated that the function was a paid feature; however, the system failed to operate as designed. On another occasion, the contact stated that the steering will shift to one side while driving at various speeds, and the vehicle became difficult to steer. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was made aware, and the contact had a pending appointment scheduled. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

Filed Feb 22, 2025 · Steering · CA

While driving on the highway at maximum speed limit, I had a series of error messages that covered the complete screen. At the same time, my MPH dropped to zero although I was traveling probably 70 miles per hour. I had no control over the vehicle, no steering, I had no brakes. There was no way to control the car. Fortunately, I was traveling in a low populated area of the [XXX] between Los Angeles and Las Vegas in the far right lane, as I was preparing to exit less than a mile to a Super Charger Station. I was able to get off that exit but since the odometer had a 0 reading, I had no idea what speed I was still traveling at. When I reached the end of the freeway exit, I was unable to stop the vehicle at the stop sign, running it while attempting with all of my strength to veer to the right on to a desolate road. The only thing that saved the car from running the stop sign at what I can only guess would have been 60 mph was a slight incline in the off ramp which slowed the car to about half that when I managed to make the turn. From there, I coasted to a rolling stop about 200 ft from exit, half on shoulder, half stilI on road. I was not able to put the car in park nor see what gear the car was in due to the flashing warnings blocking the display screen. I could not use the hazard lights, the gear shift, power off, open glove box, turn off display, open trunk, as if it was in D. Once exited, no way to get back in the car. Tesla ER Service only able to tow next A.M. to nearest S C, 85 miles at my expense. Sat in car as getting dark, cold along desolate road with no services, until my ride could get me over 4 hrs or stay in car overnight with temps of 20°. After 2 days at Tesla, told steering rack failed, $4,900. Any other time, I would have plowed into the car in front of me at 70mph with no way to stop or steer away. Only prevented by the empty freeway I just happened to be traveling. Tesla claims to have no idea why this part failed at this low mileage. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMAT

Filed May 7, 2024 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · CA · crash

Incident Tesla Model S was up to date on recalls as far as we can tell, including the recent autopilot update via Tesla internet vehicle update releases. While driving in autopilot mode on the freeway in the lane next to the HOV lane, the autopilot got confused as to which lane it should keep and failed to maintain its lane. Incident vehicle drifted across the double lines into the HOV lane, where another Tesla Model S was driving. Both cars were damaged in the ensuing side bump impact, then the incident vehicle made a slight impact to another car rear bumper in front of the incident vehicle. No injuries were reported. A subsequent Traffic Crash Report was filed as required with CA Highway Patrol. We are awaiting this report in the mail. Our safety and others was put at risk due to the failure of the autopilot to maintain its lane. Insurance was contacted. The insurance company, USAA, has deemed the incident vehicle (our vehicle) damage too expensive to fix due to the very high cost of replacement/repair parts and has deemed our vehicle a "total loss." We have not been able to access the software of the vehicle. Since USAA has deemed the vehicle a total loss, they are selling the car for salvage and thus we have no further access to the vehicle for legal purposes. As far as I know, USAA has not pulled the vehicle software records nor has requested such records and has completely ignored the autopilot issue. That is part of the reason for our complaint here as well. Since there were no injuries, legal representation in this case has not been forthcoming. We ask the federal safety agency to investigate since we can get no help from Tesla, USAA or any other legal advocate.

Filed Feb 13, 2024 · Steering · CA

Power steering failed suddenly and without any alert on the dashboard. I called Tesla support & they said this is a known problem for which the immediate but only short term fix is to fully power off the car, wait at least 2 minutes & then restart the car. They advised me to do this and then drive the car to a Tesla service center for analysis and repair.

Filed Jul 15, 2023 · Steering · CA

On July 14 between 8:05 AM to 8:08 AM I was going on CA 87 as I went up the ramp suddenly the steering wheel malfunctioned. I’ve lost control of the car steering wheel which started swerving right to left aggressively. I tried to control the steering wheel, but it still kept swerving uncontrollably going from left to right from one lane to another. Luckily, there were no cars in front of me, or behind me, or on the side, but due to the uncontrollable swerving, I almost crashed into the highway wall all of a sudden it just stopped and I was left paralyzed with fear and traumatized with this near death experience, I was shaking uncontrollably and crying And almost had a heart attack. I do have high blood pressure I just don’t understand what exactly happened all of a sudden and I need answers. We contacted the Tesla service center and they gave us a date for July 19th to look into this incident. How is it not a high priority safety concern that needs to be looked into ASAP by the tesla customer service I sent them the timestamp and the date of the incident and all the reply that I got was thank you. this is a big safety concern. I am still traumatized by this incident, and I would like to lodge an official complaint against Tesla motors, cause if I could not have controlled the car in time, I would’ve lost my life and I could’ve endangered the lives of others on that road.