2019 Tesla Model 3 Steering Problems
NHTSA lists 53 Steering complaints for the 2019 Tesla Model 3, 9% of that year's 614 total complaints, with 5 crashes, 1 fire, and 4 injuries reported. Median mileage at failure was 10,000 miles. Two related recalls exist, but both target Full Self-Driving Beta software, not the mechanical steering failures owners describe.
- Steering complaints
- 53
- 9% of 614
- Crashes reported
- 5
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 4
- Median mileage
- 10,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
Typical steering symptoms owners report
- Front suspension ball joints reportedly lose lubrication, causing loud squeaking and a shaking steering wheel.
- Some owners describe the steering knuckle or ball joint snapping outright, leaving the front suspension detached with no crash involved.
- At low speed, the steering wheel has reportedly disengaged and spun freely without turning the front wheels.
- Owners report the steering wheel locking up entirely, sometimes recurring after a service visit.
- A creaking or clicking noise from the steering was reported during turns, along with random braking while assisted driving was active.
When 2019 Tesla Model 3 steering complaints were filed
First complaint Aug 1, 2019, latest Sep 23, 2026.
Steering recalls for the 2019 Tesla Model 3
- NHTSA 23V085000Feb 15, 2023Steering362,758 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Steering:automated/adaptive steering
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation. 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. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.
Risk: FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-001.
- NHTSA 22V037000Jan 27, 2022Steering53,822 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Steering:automated/adaptive steering
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop.
Risk: Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-001.
Steering complaints by Model 3 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many steering complaints does the 2019 Tesla Model 3 have?
- NHTSA lists 53 steering-related complaints for the 2019 Tesla Model 3, which is 9% of the 614 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a steering recall for the 2019 Tesla Model 3?
- There are two related recalls, campaigns 23V085000 and 22V037000, but both concern Full Self-Driving Beta software behavior rather than the mechanical steering or suspension failures owners report.
- At what mileage do steering problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure for steering complaints on the 2019 Model 3 is 10,000 miles.
- Are the 2019 Model 3 steering problems dangerous?
- NHTSA data tied to this year's steering complaints includes 5 crashes, 1 fire, and 4 injuries, so some reported incidents have been serious.
- What kind of steering failures do owners describe most?
- Owners most often describe ball joint or steering knuckle failures in the front suspension, along with wheel lock-ups and, in one case, the wheel spinning freely without turning the front tires.