2021 Tesla Model 3 Steering Problems
NHTSA lists 26 steering complaints for the 2021 Tesla Model 3, 4% of its 663 total complaints for the year, with 10 crashes, 2 fires, and 4 injuries reported. Two Tesla recalls tied to steering/FSD software (23V085000 and 22V037000) cover this and other model years.
- Steering complaints
- 26
- 4% of 663
- Crashes reported
- 10
- Fires reported
- 2
- Injuries reported
- 4
- Median mileage
- 14,649 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
Typical steering symptoms owners report
- Owners report the vehicle failing to turn as commanded at low speed while reversing or maneuvering, continuing straight into obstacles.
- Some describe a sudden, violent, unexpected turn or spin at highway speed with a temporary loss of steering control.
- Several complaints describe autosteer or lane-assist disengaging or malfunctioning unexpectedly, in one case leading to a crash.
- Owners report Full Self-Driving Beta making unsafe steering decisions, such as merging across multiple lanes at very low speed into fast traffic.
- One report describes the vehicle turning 180 degrees across oncoming traffic without warning.
When 2021 Tesla Model 3 steering complaints were filed
First complaint Dec 28, 2020, latest Jul 8, 2026.
Steering recalls for the 2021 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 2021 Tesla Model 3 have?
- NHTSA lists 26 steering complaints for the 2021 Model 3, which is 4% of the 663 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Are there crashes or injuries linked to these steering complaints?
- Yes. NHTSA data tied to this steering complaint set shows 10 crashes, 2 fires, and 4 injuries for the 2021 Model 3.
- Is there a recall for 2021 Tesla Model 3 steering problems?
- Two related recalls exist: campaign 23V085000 (reported February 2023) and campaign 22V037000 (reported January 2022), both tied to Full Self-Driving Beta software affecting steering behavior, remedied with a free over-the-air software update.
- At what mileage do steering problems typically appear?
- The median mileage at failure for steering complaints on the 2021 Model 3 is 14,648.5 miles.
- Is the 2021 Model 3 worse for steering complaints than other years?
- No. Steering complaints made up 4% of total complaints in 2021, lower than the 8%, 9%, 10%, 20%, 17%, and 21% shares seen in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2023, 2024, and 2025 respectively.