2022-2023 Tesla Model Y Steering Wheel Recall (23V385)
Tesla, Inc. · 137 vehicles · Reported May 30, 2023
Tesla, Inc. is recalling 137 2022-2023 Tesla Model Y vehicles. The steering wheel fastener may be loose. A loose fastener may allow the steering wheel to disconnect from the steering column, which can cause a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 23V385 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 23V385000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | SB-23-32-001 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | May 30, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Tesla, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2022-2023 Tesla Model Y |
| Units affected | 137 |
| Component | Steering > Steering Wheel / Handle Bar |
| Safety risk | A loose fastener may allow the steering wheel to disconnect from the steering column, which can cause a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2022-2023 Tesla Model Y in recall 23V385?
The steering wheel fastener may be loose.
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Model Y vehicles. The steering wheel fastener may be loose.
Is it safe to drive a 2022-2023 Model Y with recall 23V385?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A loose fastener may allow the steering wheel to disconnect from the steering column, which can cause a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A loose fastener may allow the steering wheel to disconnect from the steering column, which can cause a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Model Y shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the steering wheel and handle bar, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 23V385?
Recall 23V385 covers 137 vehicles: 2022-2023 Tesla Model Y.
NHTSA lists 137 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | Tesla | Model Y |
What is the fix for the Model Y steering wheel recall?
Yes. Tesla Service will inspect and replace the fastener as necessary, free of charge.
Tesla Service will inspect and replace the fastener as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were be mailed July 28, 2023. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-32-001.
When was recall 23V385 announced?
Tesla, Inc. reported recall 23V385 to NHTSA on May 30, 2023.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| May 30, 2023 | Tesla, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 23V385000. |
This recall was filed 40 months ago. If your Model Y was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Model Y is part of recall 23V385?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 23V385 is open on your Model Y, it will be listed there.
The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2022-2023 Model Y vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.
What should Model Y owners do about recall 23V385?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 23V385000 applies to your Model Y.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Tesla dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Write down when symptoms involving the steering wheel and handle bar happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are Model Y owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 2,031 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 269 of them about the steering.
Since recall 23V385 was reported on May 30, 2023, owners have filed 242 complaints with NHTSA about the steering on these vehicles. 15 of them (6%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the steering and were received on or after May 30, 2023, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related steering issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 2,031 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 269 of them involve the steering. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2023 Tesla Model Y: 1,166 complaints in total, 211 about the steering
- 2022 Tesla Model Y: 865 complaints in total, 58 about the steering
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
As I entered the parking lot I disengaged FSD by taking over the steering wheel. When it can to navigating into the parking spot I gently push the accelerator and the pedal disappeared from under neath my foot as the car accelerated forward hitting the car to my right.
2023 Tesla Model Y owner, IN, NHTSA complaint 11634083, filed January 4, 2025
While driving heard a noise from front end. As I turned right the steering wheel turned left in opposite direction. I heard something fall and found a bolt that fell off the car control arm. I managed to get the car back to my garage and called Tesla service.
2023 Tesla Model Y owner, IL, NHTSA complaint 11641831, filed February 10, 2025
3/5/2024. Upon startup, car does not have power steering. Error code UI_a020 on screen and steering wheel very difficult to move as car reverses. Put car back into park and arranged for alternate transportation.
2023 Tesla Model Y owner, AZ, NHTSA complaint 11646817, filed March 6, 2025
Can recall 23V385 make my Model Y a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Owners often ask whether this steering wheel and handle bar recall means their Model Y qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
A steering problem on the 2022-2023 Tesla Model Y is the kind of safety defect that California law treats seriously. Fewer repair attempts may be needed for a claim than with a comfort or convenience defect.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2022-2023 Tesla Model Y has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the Model Y went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case 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.
Has your Model Y been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Tesla Model Y recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 23V385
Did the recall 23V385 fix work?
Since recall 23V385 was reported on May 30, 2023, owners have filed 242 complaints with NHTSA about the steering on these vehicles. 15 of them (6%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
Is the 23V385000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Model Y is part of recall 23V385000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
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 recall record 23V385000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Tesla. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.