2023 Tesla Model Y: lane keeping assist jerks the wheel

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · AZ

I am writing to formally escalate the recurring and increasingly serious technical and safety issues with my Tesla Model Y. Since July 2026, my vehicle has experienced multiple system malfunctions despite three service appointments, including the replacement of the vehicle computer during the most recent service. The frequency, severity, and nature of these failures have raised serious concerns regarding the vehicle’s reliability, roadworthiness, and overall safety. What initially appeared to be intermittent system alerts has now escalated to situations involving reduced propulsion, loss of critical vehicle functionality, and the vehicle becoming completely immobile while driving. I am extremely disappointed that these issues continue to occur even after multiple service interventions. I no longer have confidence in the vehicle’s ability to operate safely and reliably. he above incidents, combined with the repeated failures since July 2026, demonstrate a pattern of unresolved and potentially serious vehicle malfunctions. My concerns include: Repeated Park Assist and Adaptive Headlights malfunctions. Camera failures and abnormal vehicle visualizations. Vehicle computer replacement without lasting resolution. Electrical system power reduction and potential vehicle shutdown. Front motor disabling and reduced propulsion. Sudden reduction in acceleration and maximum speed. Windshield wiper failure during rainy weather. Automatic Vehicle Hold becoming unavailable. Automatic Emergency Braking becoming unavailable. Lane Departure Avoidance becoming unavailable. Vehicle becoming completely immobile while driving. Potential inability to restart the vehicle. Failure of driver-side door and trunk access. Unpredictable vehicle behavior and loss of confidence in its safety. These are not merely inconvenience-related issues. They involve fundamental vehicle operating systems and safety-related functions.

Filed Sep 20, 2026 · Steering · MA

On September 18, 2026, at approximately 7:30 PM, I was driving a 2023 Tesla Model Y with approximately 31,187 miles. While traveling at low speed and making a slow right-hand turn on a winding, heavily trafficked, single-lane section of roadway, the steering suddenly became functionally unusable and I could no longer safely steer the vehicle. At the same time, multiple active warning messages appeared on the vehicle display. They included: GTW_w075 – “Steering assist reduced – Steering may require increased effort” GTW_w074 – “Steering assist reduced – Steering may require increased effort” APP_w264 – Lane Departure Avoidance features unavailable DI_a246 – Automatic vehicle hold disabled APP_w009 – Automatic Emergency Braking is unavailable. I was able to bring the vehicle to a stop. I then powered the vehicle down, waited several minutes, and restarted it in an attempt to restore normal steering. The steering problem did not resolve and the vehicle remained unsafe to drive. This was not a brief or temporary issue. The vehicle could not be safely driven and ultimately had to be towed by Tesla Roadside Assistance to a Tesla Service Center. I am reporting this incident because the sudden loss or substantial reduction of usable steering assistance while the vehicle was being driven created a serious safety risk. Had the same failure occurred at highway speed, during a lane change, or in circumstances where the vehicle could not be safely stopped, the consequences could have been much more serious.

Filed Jul 20, 2026 · Driver assistance, Steering · GA

I have reported safety issues on this vehicle before, but a new one has arisen which is related to the same. It is the computer shorting out. While in the past I have reported lack of backup camera, lane keeping, cruise control, collision avoidance, now intermittently the power steering fails. I get an error. Thankfully, this occurs when starting up and not while driving (yet), but it is nearly impossible to turn the wheel. As of now, exiting the car, letting the car doors lock and then coming back to the car has solved the issue, but I worry about this occurring while driving. Tesla knows about the computer issues and should take responsibility via a recall rather than a pricey repair on my own as this is a well reported issue. I have received no communication or feedback despite the complaints I have lodged with you and with Tesla. Please intervene before someone gets hurt.

Filed Feb 1, 2026 · Driver assistance · CA · crash

The incident occurred while the vehicle was being operated with Tesla driver-assistance features enabled, including lane assist and cruise control. The driver experienced unexpected vehicle behavior that felt inconsistent with normal steering response. Although the driver maintained hands on the steering wheel, the vehicle appeared to react in a manner that was not anticipated, contributing to loss of control and a collision resulting in total vehicle loss. No bodily injury occurred. After the incident, the insurer assigned fault to the driver but declined to investigate any potential vehicle system or software-related issues, directing us to the manufacturer. When attempting to report a potential malfunction to Tesla, the manufacturer declined to open a report because the totaled vehicle had been removed from the Tesla App, preventing further system or telemetry review. This report is submitted to document the incident and the lack of access to any system-level review following the loss.

Filed Jan 23, 2026 · Driver assistance · GA · crash

The computer in my car has been undergoing short circuiting, rendering all driver safety features inoperable. This is a known problem with hardware 4 and reported many places. I was backing out of my garage and the read camera and automated braking are not functional and it is nearly impossible to see out the back. When backing out, I struck another car in the driveway, resulting in damage to both cars. Had the system been functional, visibility would have been there and the automated braking would have avoided the collision. The vehicle has been seen by Tesla and I have been told that the warranty has expired and the computer must be replaced at my cost. Tesla has replaced other computers under a recall for the same issue reported. This is a serious safety issue as without a functional computer, features such as software updates, navigation, bilnd spot monitoring, lane keeping, cruise control, all cameras (rear, side, front), autopilot, autobraking etc. are nonfunctional.

Filed Jul 31, 2025 · Driver assistance · VA

-As a regular driver in the DC area, I have repeatedly experienced the Lane Departure Avoidance system disabling itself mid-drive. This is particularly troubling in city driving conditions marked by unpredictable traffic, unclear lane markings, and frequent distractions—scenarios where these safety features are most essential. Lane Departure Avoidance helps prevent accidents by alerting drivers or gently correcting steering if the vehicle unintentionally drifts out of its lane. -I don't know if there was a specific concern about the safety of others, but it may have. -Unknown -Not needed -No - just happened

Filed Jun 1, 2025 · Driver assistance, Electrical · MA

We experienced an extremely dangerous and life threatening situation with Tesla Y model on [XXX] around [XXX] and would like to report to the federal safety agency. We were driving on [XXX] going towards Nashua and my TESLA-Y car when the steering wheel froze and I got message that front camera was not working. When I tried to steer the car in the lane, the car suddenly braked and took two 360 degree spins (turns) on the highway with cars streaming at high speed around us. We went from the left lane to the right most lane after two 360 degree spins and ended in the right lane. Luckily, no other autos hit us and I was able to take control of the car and pull over in the right lane. The incident is recorded int the Tesla's harddrive which we can make this available to you. the car started working normally so we drove back home. We have had minor control incidents with the lane assist and auto pilot systems of this car in 2023 and 2024. We have complained and showed the problem to Tesla dealer in Watertown, MA. However they said there is nothing wrong with the car. We request you to investigate this incident with Tesla and find out the cause for the car to take this dangerous breaking and spinning incident on a highway. Thanks, [XXX] and [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 14, 2025 · Airbags, Driver assistance · CA · crash

My wife was driving the car on March 7th 2025. Before she leaves the house, she had her front defroster on and the windshield was clear before she leaves the house. 5 minutes later, the front windshield became so foggy to the point she could not see anything in front of her and the front defroster was still on. And because of that so foggy windshield she moved out of her lane with no lane departure warning or anything and then she hit the railway pole without any emergency brakes going off or any warning signs letting her that she is about to hit something. The whole front of the car was gone and the car was totally lost but no airbags deployed at all and that was also concerning. Also there was no issues or any warning lamps or messages before the loss. The car was taken to a body shop and was inspected by the body shop and I believe a representative from my insurance company went to inspect the car at the body shop. So these are the parts I felt faulty or causing the safety concern: - front defroster - automatic emergency brakes - lane departure warning - forward collision warning

Filed Dec 26, 2024 · Driver assistance, Steering · CA · crash

On [XXX] at [XXX] on [XXX] I experienced a sudden malfunction of steering control of my Tesla Model Y, followed by a rightward movement initiated by vehicle automation and potentially amplified due to the steering malfunction. The vehicle then collided with an 18-wheeler truck on the right lane and came to a stop on the middle lane. I was driving past Tracy CA on [XXX] towards Modesto on a personal trip to Merced with my daughter, [XXX] , in the front passenger seat to drop her off. Fortunately, there was no casualty or injury from this incident. We are fortunate enough to have survived physically unscathed. A difference of few seconds could have led to significant injuries or impairment. Pictures attached show the steering wheel position turned to the left at about 160 degrees, while the front wheels turned to the right at about 20-30 degrees. For a right turn it’s about a 220-degree position, which is not possible by a single swipe of the steering wheel. Please note, the front wheel position in below picture cannot be justified either way. The steering wheel and front wheel remained frozen in this position when high voltage battery supply got disconnected at crash. This proves the turn of the wheel, thereby the movement of my vehicle to the right was not caused by my steering wheel control. Vehicle Automation Engaged related to this safety incident- Advanced Driver Assistance Systems such as Autopilot, Lane Assist, Collision Avoidance Assist and other safety features were active during this incident. There were no audio or visual warnings related to lane departure, forward collision or blind spot on the vehicle dashboard. The vehicle was declared a total loss by the insurance carrier, Tesla Insurance and currently in possession of their salvage vendor Copart, Title Express. Tesla Service refused to do any inspection of the components involved in this failure while the vehicle was at the body shop, Carstar Chilton Autobody, San Carlos, CA. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

Filed Nov 6, 2024 · Driver assistance · NV

Tesla Full Self Driving (Supervised) with version 12.5.4.1 Overview: Drove round trip from Las Vegas to San Diego and around San Diego utilizing FSD as much as possible. Much if it works very well, however I believe Tesla is aware of some specific short comings (because they have good engineers and are safety aware). 1) Lane ending merging gets an 'F' from several incidents: 1A) The most dangerous was upon entering the [XXX] from the Tesla Supercharger station at Yerma, Ca - [XXX]. The entrance ramp lane ends, and a pickup with a towed trailer happen to be parallel with my FSD Tesla as the lane ended. The Tesla showed no awareness of the impending collision. I braked hard to avoid the collision. 1B) In San Diego, entering a freeway the Tesla got confused while still in the right hand lane, and ultimately threw a critical error - something like 'autonomous steering system failure, take over immediately' with a red full screen alert. 1C) Merging on a freeway connector overpass with multiple lane consolidation, the Tesla failed to understand available openings and became confused causing left and right oscillations in the steering trajectory (at very low speed). 1D) Frequently is not aware of other vehicles as lanes end, causing unnecessary conflicts with other vehicles, and close calls. Tesla should publish a letter grade for the sub-features of full self driving. the federal safety agency should publish a standard list of sub-features - for example: A) Lane keeping with traffic flow B) Recognizing stopped traffic at highway speeds (i.e. sudden traffic jams) C) Merging cooperation D) Lane ending scenarios E) Maintaining single lanes (i.e. not darting across multiple lanes to achieve an unrealistic left or right turn). The success in many areas of FSD can lead to a sense of competence in the FSD, and to oversights by a human supervisor about what the likely deficiencies are. How does Tesla, or a human know where the risks are if there are no standards, or measurement INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

Filed Oct 4, 2024 · Driver assistance · NJ

Emergency braking and alerting engaged. There were no vehicles or objects in front of my vehicle at the time. The braking was hard enough to engage the ABS and bring the car from 40mph to 5-10 mph, risking a rear end collision if someone was behind me. I have owned the car just over 1 year, this is the first time this has happened. No warnings or other errors appeared before the incident and no errors are present after the incident. Neither the dealer or anyone else has inspected the vehicle. Conditions: Dry, Night (9:50pm) no cruise control or lane keeping functions enabled, no cars or objects were seen in front of the vehicle.

Filed Sep 29, 2024 · Driver assistance · TX

On [XXX] , south of Austin, north of [XXX] , on both directions, there are many turn lanes on either side. These turn lanes fork from either of the two highway lanes and do not have clear lane markings (by design, not due to fading) until the lane width is full. Tesla Autopilot with lane assist will, at multiple times along this route, center the car between the current lane and the emerging turn. Once the lane markings begin , the car will violently jerk back into a lane. Avoidance of these situations requires a takeover. Along this route, this is particularly dangerous on banks, hills, and in traffic (even with max following distance configured) due to reduced visibility of the start of the lane markings. One example of this is at [XXX] , although there are many others along this route in both directions. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)