On certain Model S and Model X vehicles built from February 2021 to January 3, 2024, the material of the steering yoke cover might be susceptible to peeling (Figures 1 and 2).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2022 Tesla Model S steering problems
moderate 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
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 S and Model X vehicles, the LH and RH frame rail bolts might not have been tightened to specification, which could result in a creak or rattle noise coming from the front of the vehicle while turning the steering wheel at low speeds. This condition does not affect the structural integrity of the vehicle.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some model year 2021-2023 Model S Plaid and Model X Plaid vehicles running a vehicle software version earlier than 2023.44 may require a vehicle software update to address a mild vibration felt from the accelerator pedal and steering yoke/wheel that may occur during acceleration. This behavior does not affect the operation or safety of the vehicle. The software update adjusts certain motor controls during acceleration that may reduce the vehicle's rated range by up to 2 miles (3.2 km).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some model year 2021-2023 Model S Plaid and Model X Plaid vehicles running a vehicle software version earlier than 2023.44 may require a vehicle software update to address a mild vibration felt from the accelerator pedal and steering yoke/wheel that may occur during acceleration. This behavior does not affect the operation or safety of the vehicle. The software update adjusts certain motor controls during acceleration that may reduce the vehicle's rated range by up to 2 miles (3.2 km).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently describe the yoke steering wheel as unsafe for critical functions. The horn is a small, flat capacitive button located on the right side rather than the center, and multiple drivers report near-accidents because they could not locate and press it during emergency situations requiring immediate warning to other drivers. Turn signal buttons are equally problematic—they lack tactile definition, and when the wheel rotates away from center (which happens naturally during steering), the button locations become confusing and the signals reverse direction, forcing the driver to look down to confirm which direction signal is engaged.
The yoke's glossy finish and weak LED indicators become completely invisible in sunlight, rendering controls unusable during daylight driving. The rectangular shape requires hand-over-hand steering, which leads to accidental activation of wipers and other controls during the very emergency maneuvers that demand full attention.
A few owners also report vibration felt through the yoke and pedal at mid-range highway speeds and intermittent steering/lane assist malfunctions. One owner noted phantom braking and unintended swerving during autosteer highway use.
Same Tesla Model S steering reports on nearby years: 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Horn activation difficult/unreliable
The horn button on the yoke is a small, flat, capacitive touch area typically located on the right side rather than the center. Multiple owners report it is nearly impossible to locate and engage in emergency situations, especially while maintaining focus on the road. Owners cite near-accidents and collisions avoided only by swerving and braking because they could not sound the horn when needed.
When: During normal driving and emergency situations; problems reported from initial ownership to multi-year use
Symptoms owners cite: Cannot locate horn button during emergency without looking away from road; Horn does not activate despite attempts to press; Button moves with wheel rotation, making it even harder to find when wheel is not centered; No tactile feedback or raised design to guide finger location; Multiple near-accidents due to inability to warn other drivers via horn
Repairs/costs cited: Tesla CEO stated in March 2022 that push-center horn was added to cars made since November 2021, pending firmware update. Some owners report center-press method (mashing palm on right side) does not work. Retrofit of traditional wheel available but at significant owner cost.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tesla announced center-press horn capability for cars built after November 2021, pending firmware update. Retrofit to traditional steering wheel now available but requires owner payment.
Turn signal activation difficult and error-prone
Turn signal controls are small capacitive touch buttons on the yoke without tactile distinction. Owners report difficulty activating the correct signal, especially when the wheel is rotated away from center or during maneuvers requiring quick action. The flat, featureless design requires visual confirmation that the correct signal has been engaged.
When: Throughout ownership; problems more acute during emergency lane changes, roundabout exits, and parking maneuvers
Symptoms owners cite: Cannot reliably determine which turn signal button has been pressed without looking at wheel; Difficult to activate correct signal when wheel is rotated; Signals reversed or confusing when wheel orientation changes; Slow to engage in emergency situations requiring quick lane changes; Accidental activation of wrong indicator; Signals do not turn off automatically; no physical feedback when signal disengages
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported turn signal button does not register a click (referenced online forum post). No repairs mentioned by complainants; issue appears to be design limitation.
Horn, wiper, and control button interference
Owners report unintended activation of wipers, washer fluid, and other controls while steering, particularly during emergency maneuvers. The flat, sensitive button layout on the yoke means that hand repositioning during rapid steering inadvertently triggers controls, creating additional distraction during critical moments.
When: During normal steering and emergency maneuvers requiring rapid wheel rotation
Symptoms owners cite: Windshield wipers triggered accidentally during emergency steering; Washer fluid activated unintentionally; Multiple controls triggered by hand contact during hand-over-hand steering; Distraction and view obstruction from unwanted wiper activation during critical driving moment
Yoke shape and ergonomics compromise steering control
The rectangular, flat-topped yoke steering geometry is poorly suited to emergency maneuvers and control recovery. Owners report the wide shape requires hand-over-hand steering that increases the likelihood of accidental button activation, and the flat top surface is difficult to grip when backing up or making sharp turns. One owner expressed concern that the shape would prevent recovery from a spin-out on ice.
When: Continuous; most problematic during emergency sharp turns, parking, backing, and icy road recovery
Symptoms owners cite: Difficult to grip flat top surface during backing maneuvers; Wide yoke requires hand-over-hand steering, increasing contact with buttons; Shape makes rapid steering for emergency avoidance awkward; Concern expressed that rectangular shape prevents adequate wheel control during spin recovery
Button visibility obscured by sun glare
The glossy surface of the yoke and weak LED indicator lights become completely invisible in bright sunlight, especially when the sun is behind or to the left of the driver. This renders critical safety controls (horn, turn signals, wipers, high beams) effectively unusable during daylight driving, forcing the driver to look down at the wheel or randomly press areas to find the correct button.
When: During daytime driving, particularly when sun is behind or to the side of driver
Symptoms owners cite: LED indicator lights washed out by sun glare; Button locations invisible in bright sunlight; Forced to look away from road to locate controls; Forced to press randomly until correct function found; Makes horn, wipers, turn signals, and high beams unusable in sunny conditions
Steering assist and lane assist malfunction
One owner reported sudden steering assist malfunction error while driving at highway speed on a canyon road, followed by a lane assist malfunction error. The steering became very hard to turn, nearly resulting in a collision with a concrete barrier. Owner was not using autopilot/autosteer at the time.
When: While driving normally at 65 MPH on canyon road
Symptoms owners cite: Lane assist malfunction error displayed; Steering assist malfunction error displayed immediately after; Steering became very hard to turn; Nearly collided with roadside obstacle while forcing steering input
Codes mentioned: Lane assist malfunction, Steering assist malfunction
Vibration in steering yoke and accelerator pedal at mid-range speeds
Multiple owners report feeling vibration in the yoke and accelerator pedal when slightly pressing the accelerator at speeds between 35–70 MPH. One owner cited an online poll indicating over 60% of 2022 Model S Plaid owners report similar vibration, yet the manufacturer has delayed resolution.
When: During gentle acceleration at highway speeds (35–70 MPH)
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration felt in yoke and pedal; Occurs during light throttle input; May affect driver ability to brake or turn wheel in emergency; Reported by majority of affected model year
Autopilot/Autosteer erratic behavior
Owners report phantom braking without apparent cause, abrupt swerving toward off-ramps when lane markings are interrupted, and unintended lane departure when turn signal is activated. One owner also mentioned autosteer turning off automatically.
When: During highway autopilot/autosteer use
Symptoms owners cite: Random phantom braking at highway speeds; Abrupt swerve toward off-ramp when white line marking is interrupted; Lane departure when turn signal activated, followed by abrupt swerve back to original lane; Autosteer turns off automatically unexpectedly; Weird sound when making turns with autosteer enabled
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The Tesla was driving normally as I was driving through the canyons of Utah at 65 MPH. the car gave an error about lane assist malfunction and immediately followed by steering assist malfunction. The car was very hard to turn and I nearly crashed into a concrete barrier as I forced the car to turn. I was not using auto drive
This vehicle came with a YOKE style steering wheel, I did not order it this way, it is how the new car arrived. It is TERRIBLE and I cannot believe TESLAS is allowed to put it in their cars. (This is my second Model S, my first is a 2015 and I love it). It has none of the standard stalks on the side (Directional signal, headlight flash, etc.). I heard that removing the stalks saved the company a…
Had steering trouble with your 2022 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 2022 Tesla Model S?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 20 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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/2022/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.