2023 Tesla Model Y · symptom sheet
Power steering cuts out or goes heavy
- 77owner reports
- 31,187median miles
- 5involved a crash
Newest report Sep 20, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
213 of the 1,166 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 77 of those describe power steering loss.
Tick what matches of 77 reports
Power steering loss on other Model Y years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Power steering loss is the steering wheel suddenly going heavy, usually with a warning on the dash. Nearly six in ten complaints in this group mention a warning light or message, and almost two thirds mention driving or highway speed rather than parking.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the steering rack (19 reports), the EPS motor or module (4 reports) and the column (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
3 recalls on the steering system cover the 2023 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The printed circuit board for the electronic power steering assist may experience an overstress condition, causing a loss of power steering assist when the vehicle reaches a stop and then accelerates again.
The steering wheel fastener may be loose.
The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution.
All 17 recalls on the 2023 Tesla Model Y, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the steering system on the Model Y
Loss of steering control. Closed jun 25, 2026, led to recall 25V-092.
Loss of steering control. Closed feb 5, 2024.
Steering wheel detachment. Closed apr 24, 2026.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 2,000 and 38,917 miles, from the 8 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“After a software update I lost all power steering and could not drive the car. It had to be towed and the power steering motor replaced”
Filed Aug 2, 2023
“Within two weeks of taking delivery of the car, the power steering locked up when I was driving on the highway. Luckily I was on the right lane and was able to pull over. Once I got out, locked the car and came back in, it started working. It happened twice after that on my drive home from Wilmington NC. I had to take it to Tesla and they replaced the steering rack to fix this but this seems to be a common problem.”
Filed Aug 1, 2023
“Had car less than a month. After a Tesla software upgrade, error message that power steering assist was disabled. Unable to turn steering wheel. Reset software twice with no change. Left the car for awhile. When I came back, steering worked. No issues since.”
Filed Aug 1, 2023
“Service pushed a software update intended to fix a parking assist issue, and after that the power steering failed with a "steering assist reduced" message. I did a full power off and waited a few minutes, and since then it has worked fine. Also of note I mentioned this in my service ticket and they didn't respond at all. I attached a screenshot of the conversation from the Tesla app.”
Filed Aug 1, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 5 of 77 reports involved a crash and 6 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 259 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 229 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 154 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 126 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 106 reports
- Forward collision warning goes off or the camera drops out 92 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 58 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 45 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 42 reports
- Full Self-Driving (FSD) does something unsafe 41 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 40 reports
- Windshield wipers stop working 32 reports
- Hybrid or EV system warning, loss of power 27 reports