On some Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, the steering wheel cover material may separate from the steering wheel at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock position (Figures 1 and 2). NOTE: The material separation of the steering wheel cover is cosmetic only and does not affect the performance or function of the steering wheel.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Tesla Model 3 steering problems
critical 43 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
43
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
6crashes
1fire
2injuries
1fatality
What stands out
Owners have filed 43 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.
On some Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, the steering wheel cover material may separate from the steering wheel at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock position (Figures 1 and 2). NOTE: The material separation of the steering wheel cover is cosmetic only and does not affect the performance or function of the steering wheel.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗On certain Model 3, Model Y, and Model X vehicles, there may be a water ingress path to both front upper control arm ball joints that, over time, could possibly lead to surface corrosion of these ball joints. This may result in a creaking sound coming from the front suspension when steering at low speeds and under high loads. This is exclusively an NVH condition only and does not result in premature failure of the ball joints.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗On some Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, the upper steering column bolt may not be installed according to internal specifications, which could cause excessive play between the steering wheel and steering column.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe recurring, severe steering and suspension failures on the 2020 Model 3. The most common complaint is steering rack failure, where power steering cuts out intermittently at highway speeds (45–65 mph), leaving the driver struggling to turn the wheel. The steering wheel becomes extremely stiff, requiring two hands and significant force to operate. A power cycle (turning the vehicle off and back on) sometimes restores function temporarily, but the "Steering assist reduced" warning persists and reappears.
Suspension failures are equally alarming. Critical bolts attaching the subframe and lower control arms detach or shear off without warning—one failure occurred at just 3,300 miles. Owners report hearing loud clunking or banging sounds, after which the steering goes slack or locks. In at least two documented cases, wheels turned sharply inward or became immobilized, making the vehicle undriveable. One owner's wheel separated entirely from the suspension at 5 mph while making a left turn.
Ball joints in the front suspension are also failing prematurely. Owners describe units popping or separating from the steering knuckle, sometimes with no warning noise beforehand. Multiple complaints reference multiple failures within 30,000 miles after an initial replacement.
When steering failures occur, multiple safety systems fail simultaneously—ABS, regenerative braking, cruise control, traction control, and stability control all disable at once. Tesla service acknowledges manufacturing defects (poor assembly, bolts not welded on, no Loctite on critical fasteners) but no recall has been issued despite NHTSA investigation.
Same Tesla Model 3 steering reports on nearby years: 2018 · 2019 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023
Failure modes owners describe
Steering Rack Failure (Loss of Power Steering)
Steering rack failure resulting in complete or partial loss of power steering function. Owners report steering wheel becoming extremely stiff or unresponsive, requiring significantly increased effort to turn. In some cases, turning the car off and restarting temporarily restores function; in others, permanent replacement is required.
When: Various mileage: 29,000 miles; 36,000 miles; 43,272 miles; 52,000 miles; Under 50,000 miles reported
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes extremely stiff or hard to turn; Steering assist reduced warning appears; Loss of power steering functionality; Intermittent locking of steering wheel in position; Steering wheel requires two hands and significant force to turn; Temporary resolution after power cycle (turning car off and on)
Codes mentioned: UI_a020 Steering assist reduced, Steering assist reduced, Steering may require increased effort
Repairs/costs cited: Steering rack replacement quoted at $2,000–$5,000. One case: $2,700 estimate; another $5,000 (steering rack and harness replacement); one completed repair at $3,114.53. Water intrusion and corrosion noted in electrical connections in one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tesla quotes repairs but does not cover under warranty in most cases. One owner reported Tesla acknowledged the issue in remote diagnosis but quoted expensive repair. Tesla has not issued recall despite multiple complaints and NHTSA investigation mentioned by one owner.
Suspension Bolt/Fastener Failures (Subframe and Control Arm)
Critical bolts attaching suspension components to the vehicle fail or come loose. Includes bolts on the subframe not being welded properly and lower control arm bolts that either shear off or go missing entirely. Owners report no Loctite on bolts and raw subframe surfaces, indicating assembly defects.
When: 3,300 miles; 25 mph incident; shortly after delivery or within service intervals
Symptoms owners cite: Loud bang or clunking sound while driving slowly; Steering feels lagging or slack; Wheel pulled or angled sharply to one side; Steering feels loose or unresponsive; Vehicle pulled to one side; Wheel locked in extreme angle
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: One case involved ordering replacement subframe (Part Number 1044521-00-R). Service found critical bolt not welded onto sub-frame. Bolts missing—two witnesses saw hardware hit pavement; second bolt found loose with no Loctite. Tesla service missed the defect on six service visits and during 120-mile inspection before delivery.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tesla service confirmed manufacturing defect and poor assembly. One shop manager acknowledged this as manufacturer defect. No recall issued despite clear assembly failures.
Suspension Ball Joint Failures (Front)
Lower ball joints and/or upper steering knuckle ball joints separate or pop apart from the steering knuckle. Multiple complaints reference poor-quality ball joints that lack proper lubrication and are undersized for vehicle weight. Owners cite creaking, groaning, and premature wear despite low mileage.
When: Under 50,000 miles; premature failure with components replaced once already failing again in less than 30,000 additional miles
Symptoms owners cite: Clunking or creaking sounds when driving over bumps or road elevation changes; Ball joints detach or pop apart without warning; Wheel turned inward or splayed outward abnormally; Abnormal grinding sound from suspension; Instability and looseness in front end; Vehicle unable to track straight
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple junkyard examples cited showing ball joints popped out. Owners describe ball joints as low-quality, undersized, prone to creaking due to lack of grease. In one case, front passenger-side wheel lowered to ground with grinding sound; tie rod had detached from wheel. Replacement of front passenger-side steering assembly required.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer recalls or goodwill repair programs mentioned. One owner requested NHTSA investigation of premature failures. Tesla has not acknowledged widespread ball joint defect.
Steering Wheel Locking (Intermittent)
Steering wheel locks in position intermittently, preventing normal steering operation. Lock is sometimes temporary and resolves after vehicle reboot; however, 'Steering assist reduced' warning persists even after restart in some cases. Disables lane keeping and autopilot.
When: Intermittent; occurred after attempting to pull out of parking lot in one case; sporadically while driving
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locked and will not turn; Steering assist reduced warning displayed; Lane keep disabled; Autopilot disabled; Cruise control disabled; Traction control disabled; Stability control disabled; Regenerative braking disabled
Codes mentioned: Steering assist reduced, Cruise Control disabled, Traction Control Disabled, Stability control disabled
Repairs/costs cited: Owner has not yet had dealer inspection. Multiple reboots sometimes restored steering function temporarily but not consistently. Owner awaiting service center appointment.
Tie Rod Detachment
Tie rod detaches from the steering knuckle at the wheel hub while driving at low speed. Vehicle becomes difficult to steer and wheel turns inward sharply.
When: At 36,000 miles; while making a left turn at 10 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel seized; Front passenger side of vehicle lowered to ground; Abnormal grinding sound; Wheel turned inward and pinned by wheel well
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Front passenger-side steering assembly required replacement. Owner was charged a fee for repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified. No mention of recall or warranty coverage.
Lower Control Arm Bolt Failure (Disconnection)
Lower control arm bolts go missing or shear off, causing the arm to disconnect from the vehicle. No warning is provided by the vehicle's computer system before sudden failure.
When: While turning at low speed in parking lot; at approximately 36,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud clunking noises when steering; Unable to steer car; Left front tire turned sharply left; Piece of lower control arm found on ground; Two bolts missing
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: One bolt located in driveway the day after failure. No warning system alerted driver before failure occurred. Vehicle required towing and repair shop analysis.
Suspension Link Premature Wear (Lateral and Stabilizer Links)
Lower lateral links and stabilizer links wear out prematurely, requiring replacement in less than 30,000 miles after an initial replacement. Condition is not normal wear for modern vehicles and indicates under-engineered suspension for vehicle weight.
When: Less than 30,000 miles after initial replacement; components already replaced once
Symptoms owners cite: Clunking sounds; Instability in front end; Looseness in steering; Vehicle unable to track straight; Reduced control during emergency maneuvers over uneven pavement
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Once out of warranty, Tesla charges thousands to replace these components. Owner reports extensive reports from other Tesla owners showing same premature wear.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tesla refuses to issue recall or approve goodwill repairs. No acknowledgment of design defect.
Steering Rack Corrosion and Water Intrusion
Water intrusion into steering rack electrical connections causes corrosion, leading to steering assist failure. Occurs despite vehicle being relatively new and in dry climate areas.
When: At approximately 3–5 years of ownership in Southern California
Symptoms owners cite: Steering assist reduced warning; Power steering failure; Steering wheel becomes stiff
Codes mentioned: Steering assist reduced
Repairs/costs cited: Service technician observed corrosion in electrical connection where water intrusion had occurred. Both steering rack and harness required replacement at nearly $5,000. Owner questioned why Tesla did not seal connections properly for dry, rainy climate.
Multiple Electrical and Safety System Cascading Failures
When steering assist fails or reduces, multiple other critical safety systems also fail or disable simultaneously: ABS, regenerative braking, cruise control, traction control, stability control, and automatic emergency braking. Pattern suggests shared electrical or control module issue.
When: Sporadically at highway speeds; multiple cases reported
Symptoms owners cite: Steering assist reduced warning; Loss of ABS; Regenerative brakes disabled; Cruise control disengages; Traction control disabled; Stability control disabled; Automatic emergency braking disabled; Vehicle hold feature unavailable; Tire pressure monitor system fault
Codes mentioned: Steering assist reduced, Vehicle Hold Feature Unavailable, Tire Pressure Monitor System Fault, Automatic Emergency Braking Disabled, ABS disabled, Regenerative Brakes Disabled, Traction control disabled
Repairs/costs cited: One service center (Norfolk, VA) pushed off appointment for more than 30 days but acknowledged issue existed. Root cause unclear; unknown which component is at fault.
Steering Wheel Cover Material Degradation
Steering wheel cover made of poor-quality plastic delaminates, peels, and melts from sun exposure. Creates loss of grip and distraction while driving. Tesla refuses to repair without owner payment.
When: During normal use; appears to affect multiple vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Plastic cover melts and peels off; Loss of grip on wheel; Safety hazard while driving
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Owner brought issue to Tesla; told repair would not be covered and owner must pay. Multiple consumer complaints online show same defective material on other vehicles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tesla refuses to cover repair as manufacturer defect; demands owner payment.
Synthesized from 43 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Steering wheel covering delaminates and peels during normal use, creating loss of grip and distraction while driving.
Had steering trouble with your 2020 Tesla Model 3?
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 2020 Tesla Model 3?
It's a serious issue. 43 complaints have been filed, including 6 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 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 2,000 and 10,000 miles, with the median around 3,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 2,000; a quarter make it past 10,000. 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/2020/Tesla/Model 3.
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.