Long-term exposure to high-corrosion environments might weaken the bolts that attach the power steering motor to the steering rack housing.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Tesla Model S steering problems
critical 28 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
28
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2crashes
1fire
1injury
1fatality
What stands out
Owners have filed 28 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Long-term exposure to high-corrosion environments might weaken the bolts that attach the power steering motor to the steering rack housing.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report two main steering problems: sudden loss of power assist and progressive suspension wear that makes the car unsafe to drive on highways.
Loss of power assist happens abruptly—sometimes mid-drive, sometimes after software updates—leaving the steering wheel stiff and nearly immobile. Owners describe needing "Arnold Schwarzenegger's strength" to turn the wheel manually. Error messages like "Steering assist reduced" or "Power steering assist system disabled" appear inconsistently, sometimes clearing after shutdown and returning later. The power steering rack itself fails from internal corrosion; Tesla quoted $2,750–$4,500 for replacement plus labor and taxes.
Suspension control problems develop over years. Owners report vague, "darty" steering that worsens with acceleration or on highway driving, requiring constant corrections to stay in lane. Ball joints and control arms fail progressively—upper control arms, fore-links, aft-links disconnect or separate. One owner had four repair visits within nine months, cumulatively spending over $5,000 on upper control arms, lower control arm assemblies, toe links, and aft links. A few cases describe catastrophic failures: steering knuckles snap under normal driving load, and rear suspension or air-suspension systems collapse entirely, causing wheels to jam in wheel wells or skew at dangerous angles.
Owners allege a recall (SB-22-00-014 and 18V204000) exists for steering bolt corrosion but service centers apply it inconsistently or refuse coverage for related component failures. Tesla service has sometimes denied warranty repair for failures they claim are separate from the recall.
Same Tesla Model S steering reports on nearby years: 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Electric Power Steering System Failure (Loss of Assist)
Complete or partial loss of power steering assist, rendering the steering wheel stiff and extremely difficult or impossible to turn. Owners report sudden onset during driving, sometimes triggered by software updates or electrical faults. Error messages include 'Steering assist reduced' and 'Power steering assist system disabled.'
When: Across various mileages (27,000 to 111,000+ miles); some failures occur after software updates; one case at 200 miles (likely transposition in report)
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden stiffness in steering wheel; Loss of power assist mid-drive; Error messages: 'Steering assist reduced,' 'Power steering assist system disabled'; Extremely heavy manual steering required; Intermittent failures after OTA software updates; Dashboard fault codes after electrical events
Codes mentioned: Steering assist reduced, Steering may require increased effort, Power steering fault
Repairs/costs cited: Steering rack replacement quoted at $2,750–$4,500 (plus labor, taxes, and harness assembly); one owner paid $500.84 for diagnosis alone. Tesla replaced entire steering racks; owners report online forums suggest only steering motor replacement resolves some faults. Front left body harness assembly replacement also cited ($525). Labor charges sometimes exceeded part costs 3x over.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall SB-22-00-014 covers replacement of steering bolts to prevent corrosion; however, owners report Tesla service centers refused to honor this recall or applied it inconsistently. One service center claimed aftermarket equipment blocked access to bolts. Recall 18V204000 (steering) previously issued for bolt corrosion; some new steering failures treated as separate, non-recall issues despite similar root causes.
Steering Rack Corrosion and Bolt Failure
Corrosion of steering rack bolts and internal components leading to structural failure. One case noted corrosion to lower steering shaft with U-joint. Failures attributed to moisture exposure and salt-road conditions.
When: Long-term ownership (5–7+ years); failures noted at 64,850+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power steering assist; Stiff steering wheel; Cracking noise from steering assembly; Shaft corrosion visible on removed components
Codes mentioned: Steering assist reduced
Repairs/costs cited: Steering rack and bolts replacement; corrosion-damaged harness assembly replacement. Parts appear 'slightly dirty' but otherwise functional when removed, raising questions about replacement necessity. One owner noted old rack appeared fine despite Tesla's diagnosis.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 18V204000 issued for steering bolt replacement to prevent corrosion-related failures. However, coverage interpretation varies; some service centers deny covering secondary damage (e.g., harness) caused by corrosion. Owners allege Tesla service bulletins on preventive measures exist but are not publicly disclosed.
Front Suspension Ball Joint and Control Arm Failure
Upper and lower control arm ball joints, fore-links, and aft-links detach or fail, causing loss of steering control and suspension collapse. The ball-socket type joints separate, with the ball popping out of the socket. Multiple failures on same vehicle requiring sequential repairs over months.
When: Varies widely (7,000–83,000 miles); failures worsen over time with age of vehicle; one vehicle required four separate repair visits within 9 months
Symptoms owners cite: Metallic clunking from front suspension; Complete loss of steering control; Wheel camber change (wheel tilted inward at 30 degrees observed); Tire rubbing during turns and reversing; Vague, 'darty' steering on highway; Constant steering adjustments needed to stay in lane; Difficulty driving at highway speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Upper control arms replaced ($1,571 in parts/labor for one repair); right forelink replaced; rear lower control arm assemblies replaced ($1,382); rear toe links and upper links replaced; front aft links replaced ($1,870 in one visit). Cumulative cost for complete front/rear suspension overhaul exceeded $5,000 across multiple visits. One owner provided failed ball-joint parts for inspection.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls cited for ball-joint or control arm failures. Dealers recommended incremental repairs rather than comprehensive recalls. One dealer verbally acknowledged unsafe condition but offered only piecemeal fixes.
Steering Knuckle Fracture and Fatigue Failure
Steering knuckles snap or fracture, causing sudden loss of wheel control. Original design (hollow die-cast) appears prone to fatigue failure under normal driving loads. Tesla redesigned to solid H-section around 2015, suggesting design defect in earlier models.
When: Occurs during driving at various speeds; one fatal crash reported; multiple crash reports linked to knuckle failure in salvage vehicle photos
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of wheel control; Vehicle swerving or veering off road; Visible snapped knuckle parts in wreckage photos; Worn tire tread (indicating driving under failed suspension)
Repairs/costs cited: Broken knuckles cannot be repaired; affected vehicles become non-repairable or require knuckle replacement (cost not specified in complaints). One owner retained failed parts for inspection.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No public recall issued for hollow die-cast knuckles prior to redesign. Tesla redesigned to solid H-section around 2015 but no retroactive recall for earlier vehicles. One complainant documented multiple crash incidents attributed to knuckle failure across Flickr gallery of removed parts.
Intermittent Steering Control Loss and Electronic Faults
Recurring, intermittent failures where steering assist and related vehicle controls (traction control, stability control, wipers) disable and re-enable randomly, often linked to software glitches or electrical faults. Faults clear after shutdown and restart but reappear unpredictably.
When: Intermittent, occurring at random intervals during driving and after software updates
Symptoms owners cite: Steering assist reduced message appears and disappears; Traction control disabled and re-enabled; Stability control disabled and re-enabled; Wipers malfunction (slow or stuck) during fault episodes; Regenerative braking reduced; Faults clear for periods, then recur; Power assist 'heals' itself briefly after startup, then fails again
Codes mentioned: Steering assist reduced, Traction control disabled, Stability control disabled, Regenerative braking reduced
Repairs/costs cited: Software updates deferred or applied; one case resolved temporarily after full software reboot. No part replacement documented for these intermittent episodes. One owner noted all software up to date, suggesting defect unrelated to outdated firmware.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tesla service attributed one case to pending software update, but owner reported assist failure continued post-update. Tesla attributed another case to software defect but declined responsibility or repair cost.
Rear Suspension Failure and Axle Snap
Rear axle or suspension assembly snaps or fails suddenly while driving, causing vehicle to lose stability and veer off road. Air suspension system collapses. One case resulted in rear wheels skewing sideways at severe angles.
When: During normal driving at various speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden snap or failure sensation; Vehicle fishtail or loss of control; Wheels skewed or jammed high in wheel wells; Air suspension collapse; Difficulty controlling vehicle trajectory
Repairs/costs cited: Air suspension and rear axle replacement required. One case also involved bent rims, front fender damage, and interior wheel-well damage. Rock striking windshield as secondary damage from loss of control.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or service bulletins cited for rear suspension or axle failures.
Air Suspension Collapse
Air suspension system fails, causing all wheels to collapse or jam into wheel wells. No mechanical limit stops present to prevent full collapse, increasing risk of secondary collisions or loss of control.
When: Long-term ownership; multiple instances noted in salvage auction listings
Symptoms owners cite: All wheels jammed high in wheel wells; Both rear wheels skewed sideways in opposite directions; Vehicle extremely difficult or impossible to steer
Repairs/costs cited: Full air suspension replacement required. One salvage vehicle with minor front-right damage showed collapsed suspension, suggesting design issue rather than impact damage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls for air suspension design deficiencies or lack of limit stops.
Steering Motor Failure
Electric motor driving the steering rack fails, typically after multiple electrical fault events. Tesla replaced entire steering rack in one case despite forum reports suggesting only motor replacement fixes the issue.
When: After history of electrical faults; one case noted as most recent problem after six service visits for electrical failures
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power steering assist; Extremely difficult manual steering
Codes mentioned: Power steering fault
Repairs/costs cited: Tesla replaced entire steering rack; owners report forum users replaced only steering motor successfully. Cost not specified for motor-only replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tesla's approach differs from owner-forum recommendations; Tesla performs full-rack replacement rather than targeted motor repair.
Synthesized from 28 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had steering trouble with your 2013 Tesla Model S?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2013 Tesla Model S?
It's a serious issue. 28 complaints have been filed, including 2 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 17 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 20,000 and 100,000 miles, with the median around 79,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,000; a quarter make it past 100,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Tesla/Model S.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.