NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation: Loss of Steering Control in 2023 Tesla Model 3, 2023 Tesla Model Y (PE23-014)
Opened July 28, 2023 · Tesla, Inc.
NHTSA opened a preliminary evaluation (PE23-014) on July 28, 2023 into loss of steering control in 2023 Tesla Model 3, 2023 Tesla Model Y. The investigation is closed on February 5, 2024.
PE23-014 at a glance
| NHTSA action number | PE23-014 |
|---|---|
| Type | Preliminary Evaluation |
| Opened | July 28, 2023 |
| Status | Closed February 5, 2024 |
| Vehicles | 2023 Tesla Model 3, 2023 Tesla Model Y |
| Component | Steering |
| Manufacturer | Tesla, Inc. |
| Resulting recall | None listed |
What is NHTSA investigating in the Tesla Model 3?
From NHTSA’s investigation summary:
On July 28, 2023, The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE23-014) after receiving 12 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting loss of steering control in model years (MY) 2023 Tesla Model 3 and Y vehicles.
During PE23-014, ODI interviewed complainants, sent an Information Request (IR) letter to Tesla, and convened technical meetings with Tesla that included a joint inspection of a crashed vehicle.
The investigation identified 2,388 total complaints regarding the alleged defect, including 124 complaints through VOQs and 2,264 complaints through manufacturer data.
ODI is associating 1 crash to this investigation (11544655), where a driver was unable to complete a right hand turn in the intersection and hit a vehicle.
This vehicle was subject to a joint inspection by ODI and Tesla.
The steering rack was recovered by ODI with the consumer's permission.
ODI's interviews of allegations supplied to the agency, in the form of VOQs, identified patterns of the incoming complaint traffic.
Complaints allege an inability to turn the steering wheel, while other complaints allege an increase in required effort to turn the steering wheel.
These conditions were reported to occur during the drive cycle as well as at start-up.
Approximately one-third of complaints with a reported speed occurred at vehicle start-up or speeds less than 5 mph.
Interviews with failures reported at speeds over 5 mph, half reported an inability to turn the steering wheel.
A majority of complaints with a reported speed reported between 5 mph and 35 mph with approximately 1 in 10 occurring on open roads at speeds 35 mph and over.
The highest reported speed regarding an alleged inability to turn the steering wheel is 75 mph.
A majority of allegations reported seeing a warning message, "Steering assist reduced", either before, during or after the loss of steering control.
A portion of drivers described their steering begin to feel "notchy" or "clicky" either prior to or just after the incident.
There have been multiple allegations of drivers blocking intersections and/or roadways.
ODI is aware of over 50 vehicles which were allegedly towed as a result of the condition from a variety of areas including, driveways, parking lots, side of road and intersections.
Multiple complaints state they were able to temporarily remedy the condition by power cycling the vehicle, but the issue reoccurred until the steering rack was replaced.
Tesla supplied four steering rack part numbers on the subject vehicles.
The investigation identified part numbers, 1044832-00-A and 1188832-00-A accounted for 2,187 of the complaints and 4 did not have original part number in the information request.
ODI has upgraded PE23-014 to an Engineering Analysis (EA24-001) due to continued complaint traffic and to characterize the system conditions leading to- and stemming from- the alleged defect in vehicles supplied with steering rack part numbers 1044832-00-A and 1188832-00-A To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
What is a preliminary evaluation?
Preliminary Evaluation is the first stage of a federal defect investigation. NHTSA reviews complaints, crash reports and manufacturer data to decide whether a safety defect may exist. It can close with no action, be upgraded to an engineering analysis, or end with a recall.
Did this investigation lead to a recall?
NHTSA closed this investigation on February 5, 2024 without listing a recall. That can mean NHTSA did not find a safety defect it could prove, or that the manufacturer addressed the issue another way. A closed investigation does not mean owners have no lemon law claim if the problem keeps happening.
Which vehicles are part of this investigation?
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Tesla | Model 3 |
| 2023 | Tesla | Model Y |
What are Tesla Model 3 owners reporting to NHTSA?
NHTSA’s public database lists 1,593 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this investigation (all components). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
What should owners do?
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for any open recall on your vehicle.
- If you have the problem NHTSA is investigating, take the vehicle to a dealer now and get a repair order, even if the dealer cannot find anything.
- Keep a log of every time the problem happens: date, mileage and what happened. Photos and videos help.
- File your own complaint at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. Owner complaints are what start and expand investigations.
- If the problem keeps coming back, talk to a lemon law attorney.
Recalls on the same vehicles
- 2026 Tesla Model Y Front Suspension Recall (26V558)
- 2021-2023 Tesla Model 3 Headlight Recall (26V507)
- 2026 Tesla Model Y Knee Bolster Recall (26V445)
- 2025-2026 Tesla Model Y Label Recall (26V315)
- 2021-2023 Tesla Model 3 Backup Camera Software Recall (26V283)
- 2025 Tesla Model 3 Fuses Recall (25V690)
- 2026 Tesla Model Y Wiring Recall (25V658)
- 2026 Tesla Model Y Electrical Horn Recall (25V490)
- 2026 Tesla Model 3 Seat Fastener Recall (25V410)
- 2026 Tesla Model Y Windshield Wiper Recall (25V359)
Can a recall or defect investigation make my car a lemon in California?
Not by itself. What matters is whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps your vehicle at the dealer, and a federal investigation or recall is strong evidence that the problem is real.
Under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, a manufacturer that cannot fix a warranty defect that substantially impairs a vehicle’s use, value or safety within a reasonable number of attempts may have to repurchase or replace it (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)). Within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, the law presumes a reasonable number of attempts after two repairs of a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four repairs of the same defect, or more than 30 days out of service (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)).
An owner who prevails can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Frequently asked questions
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA investigation, recall and complaint data, accessed October 7, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.22
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq., Founder and Managing Attorney of America’s Lemon Lawyer (Wynn Law Group, APC). Licensed by the State Bar of California, No. 362320. His practice focuses on California lemon law under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.
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Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page reports public NHTSA data and is general information, not legal advice. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.