VehicleVerdict

2021 Tesla Model S steering problems

The 2021 Tesla Model S has 29 steering complaints filed with NHTSA — 11% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

29

Steering complaints

11%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

4

Related recalls

Steering complaints by year

Model S steering complaints by model year84 complaints2012: 1 complaints2013: 29 complaints2014: 27 complaints2015: 51 complaints2016: 84 complaints2017: 47 complaints2018: 15 complaints2019: 4 complaints2020: 10 complaints2021: 29 complaints2022: 20 complaints2023: 19 complaints2024: 4 complaints2025: 1 complaints
Model S steering complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

23V743000SteeringNovember 3, 2023 · 194 units

Defect

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model S and Model X vehicles. An incorrect air bag may have been installed when the steering yoke or round steering wheel was replaced with a different style of yoke or steering wheel.

Consequence

An air bag that is not designed to function with the replacement steering yoke or wheel may deploy incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Tesla Service will inspect and replace the driver air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-20-005.

23V085000SteeringFebruary 15, 2023 · 362,758 units

Defect

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation.  The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.

Consequence

FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge.  Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023.  Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.  Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-001.

22V818000SteeringNovember 1, 2022 · 40,168 units

Defect

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electronic power assist steering (EPAS) system may experience a loss of power steering assist when driving on rough roads or after hitting a pothole.

Consequence

A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update to recalibrate the EPAS system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 31, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-014.

22V037000SteeringJanuary 27, 2022 · 53,822 units

Defect

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop.

Consequence

Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-001.

What owners report

Beta Autopilot was engaged, driver had hand on steering wheel, vehicle was traveling less than 35MPH (speed limit) and coming around a corner when it misjudged the road curve. The road curved to the left and as the car took the turn it took too wide of a turn and veered slightly off the road.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · November 18, 2021 · crash

Common questions

How many steering complaints does the 2021 Tesla Model S have?

NHTSA has 29 complaints about the 2021 Tesla Model S steering — 11% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2021 Tesla Model S steering?

Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the steering: 22V037000, 22V818000, 23V085000, 23V743000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.