Table 1 shows one common steering related problems of the 2024 Tesla Model Y.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Steering problems |
The steering wheel used to be centered in the middle. When you turn right, its resistance would turn it left back to the center point. Or when you turn left, its resistance would turn it back right towards the center point. So after each turn such as u-turn, one would grab the steering wheel lightly so it can slide back to the center position. I will call it the "no resistance" point for that centered steering wheel position. Now the problem is, that no resistance point has moved a few degrees right and it brings the wheel with it. I now have to turn the steering wheel left (with the resistance that it wants to go back to right) to make the steering wheel centered and go forward straight. Car goes forward straight when the steering wheel is centered so it's not an alignment problem. But in order for the steering wheel to be centered, I have to turn it slightly left because the no resistance point has shifted a few degrees right. Now this is dangerous because the car can now take you off the lane easily. Car is equipped with lane keeping assistance and I find the system helpful but the system is not activated some times under some circumstances. I visited a dealer and they claimed the wheel is centered that there is no need for any repairs.
The vehicle was operating in autopilot mode as it approached a right turn but was in the incorrect lane. The vehicle accelerated in an apparent attempt to merge into the correct lane and initiate the turn, but it approached the turn at an unsafe speed. I pressed the brake pedal, which disengaged autopilot as expected, but the vehicle failed to slow down or stop. I attempted to manually complete the turn, but although I turned the steering wheel, the wheels did not respond. The vehicle continued forward at speed, struck a curb on the opposite side of the road, and then collided with a parked vehicle. The impact with the parked vehicle ultimately brought the car to a stop. Multiple error messages briefly appeared on the screen during the incident before disappearing.
The contact owned a 2024 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while his son was driving at approximately 38 mph with his sister inside the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle lost steering and braking functionality and failed to stop as intended, causing the vehicle to drive through a crosswalk. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed to respond while being turned, causing the vehicle to crash into a curb and then into a parked vehicle, which was able to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to a Tesla collision center, and between Tesla and the insurance provider, the vehicle was deemed a total loss. The insurance company reviewed the event data recorder (edr) reports and confirmed the failure which contributed to the crash. The contact stated that the police was not contacted because it was a single vehicle crash. The other vehicle owner was notified of the crash and was provided the needed information to file a claim. A police report was not filed. The contact's son was taken to the local medical center in a family vehicle. The contact's son and daughter sustained headaches and concussions, and both received medical attention. The contact drove his son to the local medical center, where he was admitted and remained overnight. Additionally, the contact's son was continuing outpatient treatment for the injuries sustained. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 3,500.
The steering wheel is locking up. First while parked and attempting to leave. It does eventually unlock and appears to not have what I would refer to as power steering. While driving it appears to not have power steering and the steering periodically locks up which I would immediately brake a have to repeatedly yank hard on wheel until it unlocks at this point as of the moment of this writing the steering wheel is completely locks up and cannot be yank out of lock at all. I have a video of some incidents happening. One heading into on coming traffic another of the car driving up on a snow bank ( if the bank was not there the car would have ended up in a ditch ). There are caution indicators on the screen but none say stop do not drive. The first caution or warning indicator says stability control disabled drive with caution. Next indicator states traction control disabled drive with caution. Next indicator steering assist reduced steering may require increased effort. I find myself very lucky that no real damage injury or death occurred it was that dangerous on my over an hour drive. When the steering locked up in the parking lot I did contact Tesla and initially everything was fine but locked up again in parking lot. I contacted them a second time with the wheel unlocking at the but no one said dont drive nor did any indicators state that actually indicated I could drive but with caution. I believe that if I were on a busy highway things would have been much worse. I was lucky. There was no indication of a totally locked steering wheel in there diagnostics indicators also nothing stating do not drive. Actually quite the opposite. I can provide driving video upon request. There were other warning indicators I have some recorded. None of the indicators stated a totally locked steering steering wheel lock up and nothing indicating do not drive. I would welcome your agency to come inspect this. It is a total danger to society.
With beta self driving engaged, I turned south on [xxx] intending to turn west on [xxx]. At [xxx], there are 2 right turn lanes. I approached the intersection turning from the left lane. Rather than turn right, the car continued straight. I was able to manually override the system and luckily brought the car under control; otherwise, I am sure I would have ended up in a very bad spot. Later the same day beta did not recognize a turn lane into my community but rather proceeded straight. I have since disabled the beta fsd. I am responding to today's cnn article of your pending investigation. I cannot respond to your other questions above. Thank you! information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).
My 2024 Model Y experienced a steering rack failure. It took three steering racks for Tesla to fix the issue. I was given the vehicle back and the same issue occurred two weeks later. This time it was worse, including failure of the entire power steering issue.
1st incidence: the car with full self driving mode self-changed to shoulder lane on fwy 10 west bound for unknown reason. I had to steer back to my lane to avoid hitting the fwy divider. 2nd incidence: with autosteer/cruise control mode, the car self changed to left lane, again I quickly guided the steering wheel back to my lane to correct the action and it caused a car accident.
Attempted to make a right turn, which the steering wheel then locked; unable to control car. Resulted in the car hitting two restaurant signs. Front right side of the car damaged, right side damage, no air bags deployed. No warning lamps or messages prior to failure. Vehicle not yet inspected, waiting for appointment (August 21st).
The contact owned a 2024 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated while driving 60 mph he began to lose control of the steering wheel which resulted in the vehicle crashing into a ravine and flipping over multiples with no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that three wheels fell off the vehicle but was unsure if the wheels fell before the accident. The contact was taken to a local hospital for a trauma evaluation in which the contact suffered a concussion and bruises on his body. A police report was filed with the saratoga spring city police department and the report number was provided. The vehicle was towed to the salvage junkyard. The dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50.
While driving to work, using fsd, the autopilot steered me into the path of an overtaking vehicle moving at about 20 mph faster than my vehicle. By quickly taking over steering and speed control, I was able to avoid a collision. A couple miles further down the road, the car could not decide on which exit lane to use, and weaved between two possibilities, probably alarming and angering drivers behind me. Again, I had to take over control. Taking over speed and steering control was necessary two more times in my 25 minute trip, most of it on well-marked multi-lane highways. Of the four incidents, only one would have resulted in a serious high speed collision, had I not taken over very quickly. Having coached robotics competitions, and piloted aircraft with autopilot, it is my opinion that the fsd (supervised) software is at alpha stage in development (not yet up to beta stage, at which it could be safely released only to select skilled drivers, with suitable disclaimers and warnings) . At delivery, no introduction to the car's controls is provided, so customers are on their own regarding finding out, by trial and error and the occasional potentially lethal collision, how to safely drive the vehicle with fsd engaged. The manufacturer should be required to instruct all customers on the very high level of vigilance required to operate with fsd engaged.