NHTSA Complaint #11537287 — 2023 TESLA MODEL 3

I took delivery of a Tesla Model 3 on July 7. On July 18, I received a digital message indicating that the software needed to be updated, and I complied. Later, when I got into the car to drive it, I got two error messages -- one indicating that the driver-assist steering might not work and the other relating to warning of approaching vehicles. I drove the car about 50 feet before realizing that I had no power steering and would not be able to control the car. Using all my weight to turn the steering wheel, I managed to pull over to the righthand shoulder of my street, where I left the car. A few hours later, I tried to drive the car again, and the problem had resolved itself. But I was nervous about driving it without an assurance from Tesla that it would not happen again, especially wile driving it, so I reported it to Tesla. Tesla's "remote team" did an analysis and reported six days later: "After reviewing your concern we have concluded that it can be chalked down to a known firmware issue that appears during the first start after completing the most recent update and goes away after leaving the vehicle and coming back. We are seeing no further issues with the steering assist, and no repair is needed at this time." Meanwhile, I had not driven my new car for six days out of concern that the steering wheel could freeze up while driving. When I search online, I found many, many reports from drivers about this problem, some of whom said they'd had to have their whole steering column replaced. I read this week that NHTSA had opened an inquiry, so I am submitting my experience so you can see the problem is not limited to 12 vehicles. Also, I suggest you do a Google search to amass more evidence of how common it is.