Tesla Model Y power steering loss problems

Filed Nov 6, 2026 · Steering · CA

While driving my 2024 Tesla Model Y, a slight right turn of the steering wheel caused the left front wheel to turn sharply to the right, appearing to reach its full steering angle, while the right front wheel did not turn similarly. The steering was difficult to return to center, with loud clicking/cracking noises. I pulled over safely and stopped driving. After getting out, I observed that the front wheels were pointing at noticeably different angles and recorded a video. The vehicle was unsafe to drive. I contacted Tesla service and arranged towing through Uber. The cause has not yet been diagnosed. I am concerned that this failure could cause loss of vehicle control, especially at highway speeds.

Filed Nov 3, 2026 · Suspension · CA

The vehicle's front upper control arms creak and groan when in motion, audible at very slow speeds, especially when performing a turn (forwards and backwards). Tesla has identified it as the mentioned components, from a test drive with one of their service technicians present. The issue still exists (is not yet repaired) so it is available for further inspection upon request. As this affects steering, it is a major safety risk. Research online reports loss of steering ability, inoperable vehicles, and accidents while driving. Further, this problem has been reported to the federal safety agency and is supposed to be under investigation but no actions forced yet despite numerous reports, online forum complaints, etc. No warning lights or messages are displayed by the vehicle. As per an article reported as recently as August, there is never any vehicle warning lights or dash indicators, it is always discovered by listening to the vehicle and (hopefully) becoming concerned enough to bring the vehicle into Service. [XXX] The article and forum chatter reports this occuring as early as 29k miles onto the vehicle. Mine was at (rough guess) 150k when it started making the noise to indicate it's impending failure. I have driven for almost 30 years and never had an issue with an upper control arm. A 6-yr car should not be having this, and Tesla charging all of us $800 to $1600 for repairs. How is that acceptable when it is a product and part construction issue? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 29, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · CA

On XXX (4:59 PM and 5:47 PM) and XXX (7:49 AM), while driving, my 2021 Tesla Model Y (approx. 41,500 miles) displayed "Steering assist reduced" (UI_a020), each followed within about a minute by "Lane Departure Avoidance unavailable" (APP_w264). [Add if true: The steering felt noticeably heavier when the alert appeared.] The vehicle's 12V system tested healthy in Service Mode (13.32 V, DC-DC output normal). Tesla Service ([XXX]; service SV02F94980) diagnosed an Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) rack motor control error with limited power output from overheat or overload protection. On XXX, at 41,788 miles, Tesla replaced the steering gear (part 1188832-00-B), along with the front lower compliance and lateral links, and performed an alignment. I paid $4,522.27 out of pocket; Tesla declined goodwill. Losing power steering assist while driving is a safety hazard. The failed rack belongs to the same Mando-manufactured family (XXX) named in recall 25V‑092 and investigation EA24001, which covered only 2023 Model 3 and Model Y. the federal safety agency's complaint database shows a growing number of 2021 Model Y complaints describing the same UI_a020 alert and the same rack replacement, many filed in 2026. I ask the federal safety agency to evaluate whether the defect and remedy should extend to 2021 Model Y vehicles. Invoice attached. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 25, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · GA

Noticed a clunking noise from the front of car. Put in a service request via the Tesla app. It said it was fin to drive and made an appointment for 2 weeks later. 1 week later, there was a very loud noise and settling of the car. 2 bolts were on the ground and the left front wheel lost steering control. The bolts secure the lower control arm. This would have been catastrophic if it had occurred while driving.

Filed Oct 19, 2026 · Suspension · CA

While driving at low speed entering a parking lot, I heard a sudden loud noise and two structural bolts (grade 10.9 flange bolts) fell from the front of the vehicle. I brought the car to a stop inside the lot and had it towed. Tesla Service Fremont diagnosed that a front lower lateral link fastener had 'backed out,' which damaged the front subframe and the left front halfshaft. Tesla replaced the front subframe assembly, left front halfshaft, front lower lateral links, front lower compliance links, and front aero shield at no charge under Goodwill. There was no warning before the failure. A detached front lateral link fastener at highway speed can cause sudden loss of steering control. Tesla has issued multiple prior recalls for front suspension fasteners backing out or being under-torqued (2020, 2021, 2022, and September 2026), but none covers this vehicle, a November 2023 Fremont build.

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Body · AR

I am filing this complaint regarding a serious front suspension failure involving my 2021 Tesla Model Y. Vehicle Information: •Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc. •Model: Model Y •Model Year: 2021 •VIN: [XXX] •Mileage: 92,515 miles •Tesla Service Inspection Date: XXX •Service Location: Tesla Service Center, [XXX] Description of Safety Defect: My 2021 Tesla Model Y experienced a serious failure involving the front driver’s side lower control arm/lateral link assembly. The inner mounting bolt backed out and the lower control arm detached from its mounting point on the front subframe. The control arm bushing was torn, and the suspension arm became loose, rendering the vehicle unsafe and undrivable. The vehicle was taken to the Tesla Service Center in [XXX], where the issue was documented in the service estimate dated XXX. Tesla proposed replacing the front lower lateral links, front subframe assembly, left front lower compliance link, and right front halfshaft, along with performing a four-wheel alignment. Safety Concerns: I am extremely concerned that a critical suspension mounting bolt could back out and allow the lower control arm to separate from the vehicle’s subframe. A failure of this nature could result in loss of steering control, wheel misalignment, or a serious accident, particularly if it occurs at highway speeds. This is not a routine suspension wear issue. It involves the separation of a critical suspension component that is essential for maintaining vehicle stability and steering control. Potential Related Recalls and Investigation: I requested that Tesla review whether my vehicle is affected by the following recall or investigation references: •the federal safety agency Recall 21V‑835 •the federal safety agency Recall 23V‑235 •the federal safety agency Recall 26V558 •Tesla Service Bulletin SB-26-31-004 •the federal safety agency Investigation PE26006 See more info in attachment. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 7, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · WA

Cut to 1,423 characters — fits with room to spare. Same facts, same careful framing, nothing lost. I'm reporting a recurring suspension/control-arm problem with 2026 Tesla vehicles. My 2026 Tesla developed suspension squeaking. Tesla fixed it under warranty. The same noise is back. While Tesla had my vehicle, they gave me a 2026 Model Y loaner — it makes the same noise. The problem is in multiple 2026 vehicles, not just mine. Tesla Service Bulletin SB-25-31-005 (May 8, 2026) covers rattling/knocking from the suspension on 2025+ Model Y, including front upper-control-arm mounts. Tesla has also documented upper-control-arm ball-joint creaking on Model 3/Y/X from water ingress and corrosion. the federal safety agency recalled 2020 Model Y for improperly secured front upper-control-arm hardware, stating separation could reduce steering ability and increase crash risk. I am not claiming my vehicle has that exact defect. I am asking the federal safety agency to determine whether these recurring symptoms indicate another suspension/control-arm defect. I transport a baby in this vehicle. A control-arm failure causing loss of steering could cause a crash with serious injury or death. Tesla now refuses warranty inspection unless I pay a diagnostic deposit first, even though they fixed the same issue under warranty before and the car is under the 4-year/50,000-mile warranty. I ask the federal safety agency to review this with other Tesla suspension complaints for a defect trend. I can provide VINs, service records, Tesla communications, and noise recordings.

Filed Sep 14, 2026 · Driver assistance · CA

On September 11, 2026 at 5:11:51 PM in San Jose, CA, FSD (Supervised) had been engaged continuously for 23 minutes. The vehicle was traveling straight in its lane at 32 mph and still accelerating. FSD disengaged with no takeover warning: no visual alert, no chime. My data export from the manufacturer (200 ms resolution) confirms the timestamp and shows the driver-monitoring channel never entered either of its warning states during the drive, though both appear elsewhere in my data. Nothing I did caused it. Steering torque stayed within sensor noise, with no rightward torque at any point. First brake application was 5.56 seconds after; first accelerator input 15.5 seconds after; no steering wheel button events near the event. Immediately afterward the steering angle moved about 7 degrees right over five seconds with my torque still near zero. The vehicle left its lane toward parked cars and came very close to striking them. No forward collision warning, no automatic emergency braking. I braked manually and stopped. I re-engaged FSD 36 seconds later and again two minutes later. Both times it steered right again and I disengaged. No warning lamps or messages appeared before any of this. The manufacturer reviewed logs remotely but has not inspected the vehicle or reproduced the problem. They attribute it to reduced forward camera visibility. My export shows one camera-related alert for that drive, logged 23 minutes earlier and absent from the incident window. They later stated the vehicle logged 30 non-customer-facing "low" obstruction events over two weeks, and that a customer alert appears only for significant obstruction. I drove extensively in that period without incident. A condition judged not worth notifying me about should not also explain withdrawal of steering control at 32 mph. Root cause is unconfirmed pending a paid diagnosis I have not authorized. Vehicle available for inspection. I have dashcam footage and the full export.

Filed Sep 8, 2026 · Steering · GA

My 2021 Tesla Model Y developed a steering system/EPAS fault identified in Tesla Service Mode as EPAS3P_a072_motFeedFwdError, along with UI_a020 Steering Assist Reduced. Tesla diagnosed the vehicle as requiring replacement of the steering rack/EPAS assembly. Tesla informed me in writing that the vehicle may experience intermittent or complete loss of electronic steering assistance, that the vehicle is not operating within manufacturer safety specifications, and that Tesla advises against operating the vehicle until the steering rack is replaced. Tesla also confirmed that there is currently no applicable recall or service campaign for my VIN. I am reporting this because failure or loss of electronic power steering assistance presents a significant safety concern, particularly if steering assistance is lost unexpectedly while the vehicle is being operated. Vehicle: 2021 Tesla Model Y VIN: 5YJYGDEE6MF207395 Mileage: approximately 129,281 Tesla diagnostic fault: EPAS3P_a072_motFeedFwdError Related alert: UI_a020 Steering Assist Reduced I request that the federal safety agency review this complaint and determine whether similar steering/EPAS failures are occurring in other Model Y vehicles and whether this represents a broader safety defect.

Filed Sep 8, 2026 · Steering, Wheels · CA

While driving, I heard a loud noise every time I turned the wheel. When I called the service center, it took weeks to get an appointment, so the vehicle had to be towed in. Once inspected, Tesla found the front lower lateral link had detached because a bolt securing it was not fully tightened at the factory during assembly; over time it worked loose and fell off, which was the noise I'd heard. The left front wheel was visibly angled out and severely misaligned (alignment report available). Tesla replaced the front lower lateral link pair and performed a four-wheel alignment. The service advisor told me this was not the first time he had seen this specific failure. Before I insisted on an explanation, staff indicated the car's own diagnostics were not flagging anything wrong. I'm concerned this could cause loss of steering control while driving, including at freeway speed, with no advance warning to the driver. This appears to match open the federal safety agency investigation PE26006.