Steering Problems of Tesla Model Y - part 1

On October 13, 2026, at approximately 1:30 pm, my 2023 Tesla Model Y was operating with full self-driving (supervised) engaged on I-595 in davie, florida. While approaching a closed express lane entrance, the vehicle steered toward the end of a swing gate barrier marked "do not enter" and collided with it. The impact damaged the lower left portion of the windshield. No injuries were reported. The incident was captured by the vehicle's dashcam. Florida highway patrol attended the scene, reviewed the footage, and documented the collision. The vehicle's steering behavior while fsd was engaged raises concerns about its ability to recognize and safely respond to closed lane entrances and physical road barriers. The incident has been reported to Tesla, with a request to preserve relevant vehicle data and investigate the fsd behavior. No technical findings have been provided yet.

See all problems of the 2023 Tesla Model Y 🔎.

The contact owns a 2026 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with self-driving assist deactivated, the steering system became unresponsive. The vehicle unexpectedly accelerated and passed another vehicle on the right. The contact noted that with autonomous driving features turned off, the steering wheel continued to apply automated pressure. Upon releasing the wheel during a turn, the steering wheel locked in place without returning to center, requiring counter-steering effort to maintain vehicle control. The contact stated that the vehicle continued to provide autonomous steering assistance while automated driving modes were fully deactivated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 800.

After making a left turn I got 2 alerts on my screen "steering assist reduced" and "lane departure disabled", I tried to reset the vehicle few times, but it didn't work, I drove it to Tesla repair center and they issued steering rack damage diagnosis, Tesla is removing and replacing the steering rack along with wheel alignment at this moment. Driving with the alert was extremely dangerous since the steering could have been completely disabled while driving and this could happen on the freeway or a busy street which would have put me and others at the risk. Since it has been a very common problem with 2022 and 2023 models and recall has been issued for 2023 models, I feel like the 2022 models having the exact same problem are being ignored and it's drivers put at a risk of hurting themselves or others.

See all problems of the 2022 Tesla Model Y 🔎.

On October 7, 2026, at approximately 1:18 pm pacific time in los angeles county, California, my Tesla Model Y collided with a stationary metal post/barrier while operating under full self-driving (supervised). Fsd was controlling the vehicle during a low-speed maneuver. The vehicle moved forward and struck the stationary obstacle. I did not intentionally press the accelerator, apply the brakes, or override the steering before impact. I applied the brakes only after the collision. This was not a collision caused by my manually steering or accelerating the vehicle into the obstacle. I have preserved the original Tesla-recorded accident video, which displays the blue "self-driving" indicator during the relevant maneuver. Tesla's official vehicle data also records: 13:17:50. 255 - active_fsd 13:18:17. 661 - significant acceleration anomaly, approximately -7. 29 m/s², consistent with a possible impact 13:18:18. 268 - driver_applying_brakes 13:18:18. 285 - fsd state unavailable the suspected impact event occurred approximately 0. 607 seconds before the recorded manual braking event. This supports my account that I braked in response to the collision, not before it. I am concerned that fsd failed to avoid a stationary obstacle while controlling the vehicle. I request that NHTSA investigate fsd obstacle detection, path planning, steering, propulsion and braking behavior, and whether adequate collision warnings were provided. I request preservation and examination of Tesla's complete fsd logs and an assessment of whether the automated system contributed to this collision. I dispute any assumption that this incident was caused solely by manual driver operation. I have the original video, Tesla csv data and damage photographs available as evidence.

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. Nhtsa 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 NHTSA 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 NHTSA to review this with other Tesla suspension complaints for a defect trend. I can provide vins, service records, Tesla communications, and noise recordings.

On the morning of October 1, 2026, at approximately 9:30 am, I was driving my 2026 Tesla Model Y forward out of my townhouse garage with fsd (supervised) engaged. Immediately upon exiting, the vehicle steered toward a pillar located right at the garage door and struck it with the left side mirror, breaking off the entire lower mirror cover and leaving the mirror assembly crooked. There was no time to react or intervene — the impact occurred the instant the car cleared the garage. This happened the morning after a software update was installed. No injuries; damage is limited to the left exterior mirror. Tesla classified it as "external damage" (customer pay) with a $1,027. 50 repair estimate. I am reporting this because the vehicle made an uncommanded steering maneuver toward a fixed obstacle in a low-speed residential setting with no opportunity for driver intervention.

On xxx my 2021 Tesla Model Y, VIN [xxx], was taken to Tesla service in west covina, California, at 69,097 miles. While turning, a front suspension bolt fell out and the car knocked. Tesla estimate 3000-009-0039917905, service sv02f26ab8, dated xxx, quotes replacement of both front lower lateral links, part 2188341-00-d, and four nylon-patch lateral-link bolts, part 1109912-00-b, plus the front subframe, both front halfshafts, both lower compliance links, the front valance, and the front aero shield. The estimate is $8,237. 58 with tax and is marked customer-pay. I have not signed it. This is the same joint as NHTSA recall 21v-835, Tesla sb-21-31-003: the front lower lateral-link fastener can loosen and let the link separate from the subframe. My VIN is not in that campaign. A Tesla manager said a recall letter was mailed to me in xxx, he said I did not bring the car in, and I am therefore liable. I have no such letter. No xxx NHTSA campaign covers this 2021 VIN for this bolt. I asked him to provide to proof of that letter. He said he doesn't have proof because he doesnt work in that department but he told me the date and that's his proof. The failed part is the recalled bolt. The estimate does not show that the subframe, both axles, both compliance links, and the fascia were damaged by it. I am reporting this for the open lower-lateral-link investigation, pe26006. The car had a sudden suspension separation while turning, which can cause a loss of control. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

See all problems of the 2021 Tesla Model Y 🔎.

On 09/24/2026 at approximately 4:41 pm, my 2023 Tesla Model Y drifted toward the center divider. When I attempted to steer right, away from the divider, the steering felt locked and unresponsive, and the vehicle struck the divider at approximately 24 mph. Airbags did not deploy; no injuries. Vehicle data obtained from Tesla shows: cruise control was engaged approximately 7 seconds before impact and disengaged approximately 2 seconds before impact; about 1. 5 seconds before my rightward steering correction, the steering wheel swung hard left (~24°) without driver input; I then applied rightward steering effort and the wheel turned right (up to ~91°) while I was braking; the vehicle displayed "take control immediately — vehicle departing lane" at the moment of the event; after impact it reported "automatic emergency braking is unavailable" and "autopilot cameras unavailable. " damage was repaired at a cost of $11,467. 75. I am reporting this because the steering behavior — the unexplained leftward swing and the unresponsive steering when I attempted to steer away — suggests a possible defect in the steering or lane-keeping system that could affect other vehicles.

While driving and making a left turn the wheels pulled hard to the left and a major grinding noise started and at the same time the steering wheel locked up. I was just shy of crashing into a curb area and sitting in oncoming traffic lane. I pulled on the steering wheel and it broke free but still had a grinding noise and this happens a handful of times. I took to Tesla service and they said the lower steering link was completely hanging free. No advance notice just major failure.

I began hearing a squeaking noise coming from the front of my 2023 Tesla Model Y. While pulling out of a parking lot at a low speed, the front left control arm failed and the bolts came out. When the failure occurred, the vehicle suddenly steered to the left. Fortunately, I was traveling at a very low speed when this happened. I am concerned that if the same failure had occurred while traveling at freeway speeds, I could have lost control of the vehicle and potentially been involved in a serious accident. Tesla has since repaired the vehicle. After this incident, I researched similar failures and found multiple reports from other Tesla Model Y owners describing control arm/suspension components or associated fasteners coming loose or separating. I am reporting this because I am concerned this may represent a broader safety issue with the Model Y suspension system.

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.

The suspected malfunction involved Tesla’s full self-driving (supervised) and related automated steering, lane guidance, lane-departure avoidance and disengagement/warning systems. Fsd was active before the event but changed to “unavailable” approximately 1. 35 seconds before impact as the vehicle began moving left toward a barrier. The exact cause has not been independently determined. The vehicle remains in my possession and is available for inspection, along with the edr report and Tesla data files. My safety and the safety of others were placed at risk because the vehicle departed its travel path at approximately 65–67 mph. The warning and disengagement sequence provided only about one to one-and-a-half seconds before impact. The vehicle struck the barrier at highway speed, deploying the left side and curtain airbags. This created a risk of serious injury, rollover or collision with nearby motorists. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer because the vehicle was rendered inoperable. However, Tesla’s data confirms that fsd was active, became unavailable approximately 1. 35 seconds before the crash, and that the steering angle moved sharply left immediately before impact. The data confirms the sequence but does not conclusively establish who or what initiated the steering movement. The vehicle has not received a technical inspection by Tesla or an independent defect specialist. Towing have handled it, but no one has technically evaluated the fsd or steering system. Crash data was retrieved from edr. Earlier in the drive, the vehicle recorded “autopilot features limited” and “camera blocked or blinded” warnings approximately 15 minutes before the crash. The vehicle later permitted fsd to engage. Approximately 1. 46 seconds before impact, a hands-on warning was detected; fsd then changed to “unavailable,” cruise control changed to standby and a lane-departure warning appeared less than one second before impact.

My Tesla Model Y fsd (full self driving mode) malfunctioned when it unintentionally accelerated and swerved dangerously to avoid what it concluded as potential collision with a merging truck. By the time the driver intervened the vehicle had made contact with road barricades damaging both passenger side front and back door and tire fenders. No warnings were issued. - component or system failed or malfunctioned - full self driving (fsd) - safety - fsd malfunctioned causing a crash.

Kept getting warnings "steering assist reduced" and "steering may require increased effort" that would come and go even after resetting vehicle. This resulted in unpredictable steering and unsafe driving conditions and matches ongoing NHTSA investigation ea24001. This required replacement of the entire steering rack. Tesla's own diagnosis confirmed no wiring/connector fault and recommended full steering rack replacement at the cost $3,589. 92, entirely out of pocket, outside both warranty and any current recall despite ongoing investigation.

I own a 2023 Tesla Model Y (VIN: [xxx]) equipped with full self-driving and hardware 3 (hw3) computer. Over the last couple of years, while using autopilot/fsd, my vehicle has repeatedly exhibited phantom braking, including sometimes coming to a complete stop for no reason. My vehicle has also swerved into the lane of oncoming traffic on many occasions. On one occasion, this happened three separate times in one day, and the following day the vehicle swerved off the side of the road while fsd was engaged. I have reported these incidents to Tesla service repeatedly for years, including photos of related screen malfunctions and "what happened" incident data, documented in the Tesla app as well as in-person at service center visits. August 2026 was the first time Tesla told my husband and me that this was a known hardware/software (hardware 3) issue, despite years of prior reports. Tesla has given conflicting information about whether a hardware upgrade is possible: I was told the hw3 computer cannot be upgraded and was encouraged to purchase a new vehicle instead, while a service representative separately mentioned a $3,000 upgrade option that "probably wouldn't fix the issue anyway. " I am concerned this vehicle poses an ongoing risk of a head-on collision or road departure to myself and other drivers. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

I am filing a safety complaint about the lane departure avoidance system in my 2026 Tesla Model Y (VIN [xxx]) software version 2026. 26. 6. 5, purchased xxx, odometer [mileage]). The system makes abrupt, forceful steering corrections during normal driving. I have to resist these unexpected steering inputs repeatedly, and this has caused growing pain in my left hand, including carpal tunnel symptoms. The system cannot be fully disabled. Even when I turn it off, it turns itself back on every time the car is restarted, so I cannot prevent these interventions. I believe steering force that the driver cannot reliably turn off creates a risk of loss of control, particularly in traffic or on narrow roads. I reported this to Tesla on xxx, and Tesla stated that nothing can be done. I ask that NHTSA review this complaint and evaluate whether this system's steering force and its inability to stay disabled are a safety-related defect. I can provide further information or medical documentation on request. Sincerely, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

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 NHTSA investigation pe26006.

I am submitting this safety complaint regarding premature suspension failure on my 2021 Tesla Model Y (VIN: [xxx]), specifically concerning the front lower suspension links. During a dealer inspection at a Tesla service center on xxx, with 72,758 miles on the odometer, technicians diagnosed that the vehicle’s front lower lateral links and front lower compliance links suffered from severely torn factory air-gap rubber bushings. The degradation of these critical structural components required immediate, full replacement of the entire arm assemblies to ensure safe operational handling, resulting in an out-of-pocket repair quote of $1,976. 57 (Tesla invoice #xxx). A compromised or torn bushing in the lower lateral link assembly compromises structural integrity, increasing the risk of mechanical detachment or fracture while in motion, which poses a severe loss-of-control safety risk at highway speeds. This issue directly correlates to the high failure rates and premature degradation profiles currently being investigated by the office of defects investigation under active NHTSA probe pe26006. I request that this case data point be reviewed as further evidence to transition this active preliminary evaluation into a mandatory, formal safety recall for the protection of all affected owners. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The bolts on the control arm came loose on its own while driving causing the steering to become unstable and loud.

Severe defect: unprompted autonomous steering overrides manual driving. When autopilot is off, emergency lane departure avoidance (elda) violently yanks the steering wheel, steering toward hazards like oncoming traffic on the left or a mountain/rock wall past the curb on the right. This creates a severe collision risk, overriding safe manual input. Documented proof: provided Tesla service (palo alto) over 12 timestamps and several dashcam footage. Technicians physically verified no internal/external camera obstructions across two separate visits. Moving a transponder failed to resolve it. Tesla refusal: service center has canceled two other service requests without fixing the defect, claiming it the 'system is working as intended. ' crucially, the manager jay explicitly admitted this dangerous steering override is a 'known issue for vehicles without fsd' operating on an older, separate software stack prone to these errors. To resolve this critical safety hazard, he explicitly suggested I purchase Tesla's premium full self-driving (fsd) upgrade, claiming the fsd stack fixes it. Tesla is fully aware their base active safety software stack is defective and steers into hazards, yet demands a paid consumer upgrade to resolve it rather than issuing a safety patch or recall.

See all problems of the 2024 Tesla Model Y 🔎.

On August 26, 2026, the vehicle’s full self-driving system was involved in three separate incidents. Between approximately 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm, while exiting a parking lot onto a main major street with full self-driving engaged, the vehicle struck the curb. At approximately 6:20 pm, while driving approximately 40 mph on a local road, one street before turning onto the highway, the vehicle began drifting out of its lane without warning for no apparent reason — it is unknown whether this was an attempted automated lane change or a system error. There was oncoming traffic in the adjacent lane at the time; I immediately took manual control of the steering wheel and applied the brakes to correct the vehicle’s path and avoid a collision. At approximately 6:45 pm, while exiting a different parking lot onto a main major street with full self-driving engaged, the vehicle struck the curb a second time. No warning lamp, alert, or message preceded any of these events, and no collision with another vehicle occurred in any of the three incidents. The vehicle has since been returned to the dealer where it was purchased. I am uncertain whether the dealer has separately reported these incidents.

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 NHTSA 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.

The electronic power steering (epas) system/steering gear malfunctioned. Tesla diagnosed fault code epas3p_a072_mot and recommended replacement of the steering gear/rack, part number 1188832-00-b. The vehicle is currently available for inspection upon request. If the steering gear is replaced, I will request that the failed component be retained or otherwise made available for inspection if possible. The vehicle displayed a warning stating “steering assist reduced steering may require increased effort. ” a reduction or loss of electronic power steering assistance could require significantly greater steering effort and could affect the driver's ability to safely maneuver the vehicle, particularly during turns, low-speed maneuvers, or an emergency maneuver. I was concerned that the steering assistance could further deteriorate or fail unexpectedly while driving, putting the driver, passengers, and other road users at risk. The problem was confirmed by a Tesla service center. Tesla diagnosed fault code epas3p_a072_mot and determined that the steering gear/rack requires replacement. Tesla recommended the replacement of the steering gear part number 1188832-00-b and provided an estimate of approximately $3200. The vehicle was inspected by Tesla technicians at the Tesla service center. I specifically asked Tesla to determine whether a pothole impact could have caused the steering rack failure. After inspecting the vehicle, Tesla informed me in writing that its technicians did not observe any signs of impact damage and that Tesla does not believe the pothole incident caused the current steering rack failure. The vehicle has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives. The vehicle displayed the warning message “steering assist reduced / steering may require increased effort. ” the warning first appeared on or about 8-25-26 at approximately 136k miles. I subsequently brought the vehicle to Tesla for diagnosis, where Tesla identified fault code epas3p,recommends rep.

On [xxx], at approximately [xxx] pdt, I was parked in a parking lot in my 2026 Tesla Model Y (VIN: [xxx], approx. 9,416 miles). I engaged full self-driving (supervised) from a standstill. Without any manual steering input from me, the vehicle initiated a sudden sharp left turn on its own and struck a metal pole, causing approximately $12,000 in damage to the rear and quarter panels. No injuries occurred. The failed component is the fsd (supervised) steering system. The vehicle was repaired at a Tesla collision center in September 2026 and is my daily driver; it is not available for extended physical inspection. All incident evidence — vehicle telemetry, Tesla privacy data logs, dashcam video, and collision center repair records — is preserved and available on request. My safety and the safety of others were put at risk because the vehicle executed an uncommanded sharp turn in a parking lot — an environment shared with pedestrians. Had a person been in the vehicle's path during the sudden maneuver, it could have caused serious injury. There was no opportunity to anticipate it. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. I reported the incident to Tesla's vehicle safety team via a service log report; after 40+ days I have received no substantive response and no diagnosis beyond an offer to request my own data through the privacy portal. The vehicle was repaired at a Tesla collision center (body work only, no fsd diagnosis) and assessed by Tesla insurance for the claim, which was classified at-fault to the driver. No police report was filed. There were no warning lamps, messages, alerts, or other symptoms before or during the failure. The fsd engaged icon (blue steering wheel) remained displayed throughout the maneuver, and the dashcam recording shows a visible jolt at impact. Vehicle telemetry obtained from Tesla shows: driver-assist state changed to "enabled" at [xxx] and back to "standby" information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S.

While operating a 2022 Tesla Model Y with full self-driving (fsd supervised) engaged, the vehicle failed to execute a right merge onto the CA-280 north freeway ramp in redwood city, CA. Instead, fsd initiated an unexpected wrong-way maneuver down a downward off-ramp. As the vehicle headed toward a sharp left curve, it failed to decelerate sufficiently for the turn. The vehicle maintained speed on the downward incline and then accelerated slightly, traveling at around 30 mph immediately prior to impact. Facing an active hazard initiated by the software, I performed an emergency manual override. System steering resistance and abrupt load transfer mid-turn caused an immediate loss of control, driving the vehicle over a mound and into an off-road ditch. Airbags deployed upon impact, and occupants (including a 5-month-old infant) were transported to the emergency room for evaluation. A formal safety complaint is being filed regarding fsd wrong-way navigation failures, failure to decelerate, and severe handling/disengagement instability during emergency takeover scenarios.

The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel started sticking, and the contact discovered that the center of the steering wheel was cracked and peeling. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,997.

Subject: safety hazard caused by emergency lane departure avoidance on [2026 Tesla Model Y] description: I am writing to report a serious safety issue regarding the emergency lane departure avoidance (elda) feature on my us-spec Tesla. Starting with recent software updates, the vehicle forces the lane departure avoidance setting back to "assist" upon every single drive cycle, with no option to disable it permanently. This behavior creates an immediate safety hazard, especially in cold climate regions and during winter driving conditions. When attempting to steer around immediate road hazards such as open manholes, deep potholes, or debris, the vehicle's cameras fail to recognize the object in the road. If the driver maneuvers to avoid the hazard without a pre-activated turn signal, the elda system aggressively intervenes, jerking the steering wheel back into the path of the danger. On slippery, icy, or wet roads, this unexpected electronic intervention causes a sudden loss of traction, risking a severe crash. Forcing a driver to navigate multiple sub-menus on a touchscreen to change a safety-critical setting before every single drive is dangerous and distracting. In the united states, there is no federal mandate requiring this setting to reset to "assist" on every drive. I request that NHTSA investigate this aggressive software behavior and compel Tesla to restore the option for owners to permanently set lane departure avoidance to "warning" or "off".

On 8/22/2026, my 2022 Tesla Model Y long range with approximately 81,000 miles developed an electronic power assisted steering (epas) fault immediately after I felt a brief jerk while reversing. The vehicle displayed “steering assist reduced / steering may require increased effort. ” manual steering currently feels normal, but full self-driving/autosteer and lane departure/lane keeping functions became unavailable. Tesla service mode shows repeated faults epas3p_a072_motfeedfwderror, epas3p_a049_pictrlerror, and ui_a020_steeringreduced. For epas3p_a072, Tesla’s diagnostic screen describes a “motor control feed-forward correlation error,” lists the potential impact as “reduced steering assist and eac inhibited,” and specifically lists “replace epas” as the clear condition. The faults return after vehicle power-off and reboot. The vehicle was updated to software 2026. 21. 6 / fsd v14 lite approximately two weeks before this occurred. There were no previous steering warnings. I am not claiming the update caused the failure, but I believe the timing warrants investigation. Nhtsa complaint 11749826 describes a 2021 Model Y with the same epas3p_a072 and ui_a020 faults, including Tesla service mode stating “replace epas. ” complaint 11758026 describes another 2021 Model Y steering gear failure and requests expansion of recall 25v-092 to earlier Model Ys. My vehicle has not yet been physically inspected by Tesla. The vehicle and diagnostic information are available for inspection. I request NHTSA investigate whether this epas failure extends beyond the current recall population and whether recent software changes may be contributing.

Component failed: electronic power steering (epas) system / steering rack. The vehicle is currently displaying the active safety alert code: ui_a020 ("steering assist reduced / disabled"). The vehicle is available for inspection. Safety risk: a sudden loss of primary power steering assist creates a severe safety hazard, requiring extreme physical effort to steer the vehicle. This increases the risk of a crash during sudden maneuvers or at low speeds. Confirmation & warning lamps: the ui_a020 warning message is actively displayed on the vehicle's touchscreen. Tesla service has remotely acknowledged the alert code and required a diagnostic fee approval via the mobile app. Inspection status: the vehicle has not yet been physically inspected. Due to severe service backlogs, the earliest available appointment Tesla could provide is more than a month away, on September 30th. I am forced to either park the vehicle or drive it with a known, I think there's active steering system fault until that date.

Safety defect report: unmapped recall expansion / component commonality my 2021 Tesla Model Y experienced a sudden, dangerous loss of electronic power-assisted steering (epas) while driving, instantly displaying the alert: "steering assist reduced / steering may require increased effort. "an official diagnosis by Tesla service (estimate #3000-009-0038060635, attached) confirmed a catastrophic failure of the steering gear assembly, requiring a full replacement of the unit. The specific component listed for replacement is steering gear - left hand drive, part number: 1188832-00-b. This is the identical engineering architecture and part family (1188832) targeted in NHTSA safety recall 25v092 for an overvoltage breakdown of the internal epas printed circuit board. While my vehicle falls outside the current 2023 Model Year production window defined by Tesla for 25v092, it uses the exact same component architecture and suffered the exact same failure mode. This represents a clear pattern of failure and component commonality expanding into earlier Model Years (2021). I am submitting my official itemized Tesla repair estimate of $3,072. 50 as physical documentation. I request that the NHTSA review this component match and investigate an expansion of recall 25v092 to protect other owners of earlier Model Years from this sudden loss of steering control.

The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in self-driving mode and driving approximately 5-8 mph, the vehicle suddenly turned towards the left into oncoming traffic. The contact immediately manually started steering the vehicle. The contact stated that there was an abnormal popping and snapping sound coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle eventually came to a stop, and the contact became aware that the steering wheel was bent inward. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 10,500.

The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle became difficult to maneuver and independently veered into the other lane. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,335.

Failed component & availability: 2023 Tesla Model Y front suspension (suspected lower lateral link detachment), steering system, and airbag system (failed to deploy). Preserved intact, but will be at hendrick collision ([xxx]; poc: dendi [xxx]) under allstate claim #xxx. Available for immediate NHTSA inspection. Safety risk: at highway speed on aviation parkway, the car suffered an unprompted, violent directional loss, zig-zagging uncontrollably in the lane and risking a multi-vehicle crash. Operating manually. Do not have autopilot or fsd. I was at the mercy of the vehicle's sensor/chassis failure. The car crashed into the grass median, sustaining heavy driver-side damage. Airbags failed to deploy during impact. Confirmation by repair center: physical teardown is on hold pending event data recorder (edr) "black box" imaging and chassis alignment inspection. Inspections to date: allstate level 1 claim #xxx assigned. Evidence preservation and cloud telemetry extraction notices served to Tesla legal and allstate. Warnings & prior repair history: no warnings appeared immediately prior to steering failure. Software was fully updated. This crash occurred 14 days after a 2nd high-voltage (hv) battery replacement: xxx: hv battery error code -> 1st hv battery replacement (returned xxx) xxx: recurring hv battery error -> 2nd hv battery replacement (returned xxx) xxx: unprompted directional failure and crash. Investigative context: matches NHTSA pe26006 investigating 2021-2023 Model Y front lower lateral link detachments causing sudden loss of control. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

A front bar on the lower front left of the car collapsed leaving 2 screws on the groung and steerling wheel not usable.

I own a 2021 Tesla Model Y with an hw3 car computer. At approximately 54,000 miles, the vehicle developed intermittent failures of the cameras, gps/navigation, and cruise control. On two occasions during the same routine drive, about 40 minutes into the trip, the gps, cameras, and cruise control abruptly stopped functioning at approximately the same location. The first occurrence was about July 7, 2026 at 9:15 am and the second August 7, 2026 at about 3:15 pm. I made the same trip once between these events without a failure. I had also previously experienced a frightening incident while driving northbound on I-280 approaching the lane division for 19th avenue in san francisco using autopilot. Where my lane widened and a new lane began, the vehicle abruptly attempted to follow the new lane to the right. I had to intervene firmly with the steering wheel to maintain control. I do not know whether this event was related to the later diagnosed computer failure, but report it because of its possible safety significance. Tesla serviced the vehicle in sunnyvale on August 16, 2026 at 54,565 miles. Tesla's invoice states: “technician addressed the intermittent loss of gps, cameras, and cruise control. The car computer had board-side failures and was replaced. ” Tesla replaced the hw3 computer with a hardware 3. 2 computer, part 1775000-s0-l. Tesla also found corrosion at the 12v input and replaced the 12v battery. My concern is that the hw3 computer failure was intermittent and simultaneously affected cameras, gps/navigation, and cruise control. The vehicle operated normally between failures, so a driver could not know when the problem might recur. I ask NHTSA to determine whether similar hw3 computer failures are occurring in other 2021 Model Y vehicles.