NHTSA Complaint #11536460 — 2023 TESLA MODEL Y

This was a brand new vehicle delivered in March 2023. Soon after delivery, we noticed difficulty with the steering - more resistance than expected and a feeling that the wheel was turning through notches as you turned the wheel. Please note, we have owned other Teslas and are familiar with the normal steering effort required and software adjustments available. The problem continued to get worse, until one day in May while out, my wife got into the vehicle to drive and the screen displayed an error "Steering Assist Reduced" and the steering wheel would not turn at all, regardless of effort. She reset the vehicle a few times and got out, then re-entered and after a few minutes the problem went away on its own. She drove it home immediately, and then we had it towed to a service center. The service center determined that the vehicle had a steering rack failure and replaced the steering rack. We asked a service manager for compensation for the issues and Tesla then decided to purchase back the vehicle at the full purchase price.