2018 TESLA MODEL 3 Steering Problems

71 NHTSA complaints on file

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All Steering Complaints — Page 2

#11497148 |
Car was steering properly when parked Dec 4th. Car sat for 5 days from Dec 5 until Dec 10 while we were out of town. Car was plugged in as recommended by Tesla during that time. On Dec 11 the screen information indicated the following "Steering Assist Reduced". No steering assist was available. Armstrong Steering was required to deliver to the service center. Any senior person with less than adequate strength requiring power steering would have difficulty safely driving the car. I noticed a recall or Model S and X for similar complaint.
#11492429 |
Lateral and Comp Links Failed and Upper Control Arms Failed causing steering issues. Car has barely been driven and shouldn’t require repairs to these parts so early in its life.
#11480098 |
Vehicle developed a loud squeak coming from driver’s side front wheel well that sounded like a something vibrating or rubbing a spring at ~54300 miles. Reported issue to Tesla via the Tesla app. Tesla’s recommended solution is to replace both the right and left Upper Control Arm. Further research found that this is a widespread problem reported by Tesla owners on the web. Indeed when I was at the Tesla Service Center the women in line in front of me was bring in her vehicle for the same problem. The upper control arms include a ball joint that needs to be lubricated. This vehicle’s upper control arms DO NOT have a built in means to lubricate that joint like a Zerk fitting. The vehicle is available for inspection. The safety issue here is a defective and/or poorly designed part which if left un-lubricated would likely experience water intrusion, corrosion and...
#11461558 |
Hello. I am writing this report to describe a dramatic decrease in steering responsiveness and vehicle front-end control over my ownership of this car from new. Over about the last year, I have noticed that the steering and handling of the vehicle is not nearly as composed as it was when new. Today, the car has difficulty staying centered in the lane. This unsteadiness is especially evident at Interstate speeds (60-75mph) while the car enters a curve and experiences suspension loading. It feels loose and floaty, almost like the toe is changing while mid-corner. This results in "hunting" or back-and-forth steering inputs just to stay on center. Furthermore, any type of road imperfection causes dramatic bump steer. This culminates into white-knuckled grip driving, since the car will sharply pull out of its driving line. Performance driving, long road trips, or higher-speed cruising are no longer possible with this uncertain steering....
#11455634 |
Started hearing noises in left wheel well and notifications of stability control disabled and alignment issues. We scheduled an appointment, but were told it was safe to drive. As I was picking up my son, the left wheel locked up and the car had to be towed to Tesla Service Center. Problem is exactly as the recall issues for the 2019 Model 3 and Y recall.
#11447588 |
I own a 2018 Tesla Model 3. On December 1st, 2021 I heard a clunk in the front left wheel area while backing up. I stopped and found a 3 inch long 1/2 inch diameter bolt on the ground. I had my vehicle towed to the Tesla service center. They claimed that this was not associated to the recall for similar failure on 2019 and 2020 vehicles, but they extended the warranty and replaced the entire front end suspension system. Specifically, they claimed that this is not a safety issue, but they did me a "favor" by servicing this under warranty. The repair was exactly the same as the recall on the 2019 and 2020 Tesla model 3 cars. Then on January 14, 2022 I was driving over a very low speed bump and the entire right front end dropped. After inspection, it was visible that the same bolt that...
#11408379 |
DURING LOW SPEED, BOLTS BECAME LOOSE AND COMPLETELY DROPPED OUT OF LOWER CONTROL ARM CAUSING ONE WHEEL TO VEER TO THE RIGHT. VERY CONCERNING THAT CRITICAL STEERING COMPONENTS DO NOT HAVE A CASTLE NUT AND COTTER PIN, IF THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN HIGH-SPEED THERE COULD HAVE BEEN LOSS OF LIFE. TESLA IS FAILING TO ADDRESS CONCERNS OF SAFETY, THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER REPORTS OF THESE BOLTS COMING LOOSE.*DT Consumer concerned about the noise and vibration while driving and brought the car in for inspection on 9/1/20 to a Tesla dealer. Dealer stated rim was bent which caused the vibration and the bolts became loose after an impact with a speed bump. Consumer having a hard time understanding how low speed impact could cause a grade 8 bolt to become loose.
#11408001 | Crash
THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT SUSPENSION FAILURES IN TESLAS. THERE HAS BEEN A CRASH IN ITALY WHICH IS ALMOST CERTAINLY CAUSED BY A BROKEN SUSPENSION. THE VIN OF A JUNKYARD TESLA HAS BEEN USED TO COMPLETE THIS ONLINE SUBMISSION SINCE THE VIN OF THE CAR IS UNKNOWN. THE CRASH INJURED 2 PEOPLE. HTTPS://LADIGE.IT/TERRITORI/RIVA-ARCO/2021/04/11/RIVA-LA-LUSSUOSA-TESLA-SI-SCHIANTA-IN-GALLERIA-FERITI-UN-RAGAZZO-DI-PINZOLO-E-UNA-RAGAZZA-DI-TORBOLE-1.2884987#2 THE CRASH SCENE PHOTOGRAPHS SHOW A TESLA WITH 3 WHEELS. THE BACK WHEEL HAS FALLEN OFF. SKID MARKS ON THE ROAD SHOW ONLY 3 TIRE MARKS. THESE SKID MARKS COULD NOT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE DRIVER INTENTIONALLY SWERVING AND BRAKING PLEASE INCLUDE THIS CRASH IN YOUR INVESTIGATION INTO TESLA SUSPENSION FAILURES. THANK YOU.
#11407320 |
THE CAR WAS PULLING VERY HARD TO THE LEFT. TOOK IT TO TESLA SERVICE CENTER. THEY GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF NEARLY $6000 TO REPLACE CONTROL ARMS AND BUSHINGS AND STEERING RACK ETC. THEY SAID THE PARTS WERE DAMAGED FROM "OUTSIDE INFLUENCE". WHATEVER THAT MEANS. THE CAR IS 18 MONTHS OLD AND HAS 29,000 MILES. NO ACCIDENTS OR DAMAGE EVER. THIS IS A MAJOR MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT COULD HAVE HAD DISASTROUS OUTCOMES IF I DID NOT PICK UP ON THE SYMPTOMS FIRST. THIS IS IN ABSOLUTELY NO WAY RELATED TO ANY "OUTSIDE INFLUENCE". THIS IS A DEFECT PLAIN AND SIMPLE, AND A MAJOR PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE, TO SAY THE LEAST. TESLA REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY, AND I AM TRYING TO WORK THOUGH THE CALIFORNIA ARBITRATION PROCESS NOW. I WILL HAVE TO RENT A VEHICLE FOR WEEKS OUT OF POCKET WHILE THIS PROCESS IS PENDING.
#11351734 | Crash
SORRY TO TROUBLE YOU AGAIN ...BUT.. HERE IS A MODEL 3 IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/37236422?ROWNUMBER=9 THE SUSPENSION FELL OFF AND IT'S LYING ON THE GROUND. HAVE A LOOK PLEASE. THIS IS NOT GOOD. NOT GOOD AT ALL. THANK YOU. KEEF
#11297537 | Crash
DRIVING ON THE 101 FREEWAY IN SANTA BARBARA. ROAD WAS WET AFTER A LIGHT RAIN AT AROUND 6:30AM. WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE, VERY LIGHT TRAFFIC, ON A WIDE CURVE. WAS NOT SPEEDING, ACCELERATING, BRAKING OR STEERING. WAS NOT USING AUTOPILOT. TIRES HAD 11,000 MILES AND TREAD WAS STILL GOOD. CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, TURNING 180 DEGREES AND CRASHED AGAINST A CONCRETE CENTER DIVIDER. I HAVE A VIDEO SAVED FROM THE CAR'S CAMERAS OF THE ENTIRE ACCIDENT. YOU CAN SEE A CAR PRECEDING ME IN THE SAME LANE AT A SIMILAR SPEED, WAS NOT AFFECTED. WHEN DRIVING THE TESLA ON OTHER RAINING DAYS DURING THE YEAR I HAD THE SENSATION THAT THE CAR DID NOT HANDLE WELL ON WET ROADS, SLIPPING WHEN ACCELERATING. THE INSURANCE NOW OWNS THE CAR SO I DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE BLACK BOX BUT I KNOW THAT TESLA HAS THE...
#11297507 | Crash
ON 11/28/19 AT AROUND 5:30-6:00AM, WHILE DRIVING ON THE 5 SOUTH FREEWAY NEAR THE ATLANTIC AVE OFF RAMP, THE CAR SWERVED TO THE RIGHT ON ITS OWN. I COULD NOT CONTROL THE CAR'IT HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN. THE BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL DID NOT RESPOND TO ME. I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. I DON'T KNOW IF THE SIDE CAMERA THOUGHT THE SUV WAS VEERING INTO MY LANE BECAUSE THE RAIN DISTORTED ITS VIEW OR WHAT BUT IT WAS VERY SCARY. IT WAS AS IF THE CAR WAS DRIVING ITSELF EVEN THOUGH AUTOPILOT WAS NOT ON. I COULD NOT RIGHT THE CAR AFTER THE INITIAL SWERVE, IT KEPT ON GOING, HEADING TOWARDS THE EXIT BUT ENDED UP GOING OVER AN EMBANKMENT, HEADING STRAIGHT FOR A TREE BEFORE TURNING AND SIDESWIPING IT AND COMING TO A STOP. THANK GOODNESS NO ONE WAS HURT. IT WAS STILL DARK AND IT WAS...
#11267816 |
MY TESLA MODEL 3 HAS A DEFECT WITH AUTOPILOT SENSORS AND SOUND. WHEN ON AUTOPILOT (ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL), THE SENSORS CAN SOMETIMES FREEZE UP AND OR FAIL, CAUSING AUTOPILOT TO CEASE FUNCTIONING AND ISSUE AN AUDIO ALERT. HOWEVER, SYSTEM SOUND (BLINKERS, NOTIFICATION ALERT SYSTEM) SOMETIMES FAILS, THUS PREVENTING THE AUTOPILOT FROM ALERTING THE DRIVER THAT IT WILL NO LONGER BE BREAKING AND OR STEERING. FOR EXAMPLE, I AM DRIVING USING THE AUTOPILOT CRUISE CONTROL, WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO STEER /BRAKE/ACCELERATE FOR ME AND INSTRUCTED TO KEEP EYES ON THE ROAD, HOWEVER, WHEN THE AUTOPILOT STOPS WORKING AS WELL AS THE AUDIO NOTIFICATION, THE DRIVER WILL NOT KNOW THAT IT HAS FAILED AND THE CAR NO LONGER BRAKES, THUS MAKING IT LIKELY TO HAVE A COLLISION. I HAVE RECORDED THE FLAWS AND DEFECTS AND HAVE IT ON VIDEO. THIS CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE, ON HIGHWAY OR ON A REGULAR ROAD. TESLA HAS...
#11267535 |
OVER 5000 MILES OF DRIVING, THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF VIBRATION AND BUFFETING IN CAR AT ANY SPEED OVER 45MPH. TESLA SERVICE HAS HAD EIGHT OPPORTUNITIES TO RESOLVE THIS, TO NO AVAIL. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TO ELIMINATE THIS AS A POSSIBILITY, AND THE WHEELS CHECKED FOR RUNOUT - ALL MEASURE VERY GOOD. SUSPENSION COMPONENTS OR CONTROL ARMS ARE THE LIKELY CULPRITS. IN ADDITION TO THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS FAILING AFTER LESS THAN 5000 MILES, THE DRIVERS SEATS ON MOST ALL MODEL 3 ARE LOOSE AND ROCK BACK AND FORTH, WITH TESLA SAYING IT IS 'WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS'. THIS COULD BE ANOTHER SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AS IT IS UNCLEAR WHY THE SEAT DISTURBING BECOMES LOOSE WITH NORMAL USE. AFTER DISCUSSING WITH OTHER MODEL 3 OWNERS WITH IDENTICAL ISSUES, IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS A INHERENT VEHICLE / PARTS PROBLEM, AND TESLA IS DOING...
#11256595 |
THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT A NEW DEVELOPMENT IN THE TESLA AUTOPILOT EXPERIMENT. ELECTREK WHICH IS A VERY INFLUENTIAL TESLA PUBLICITY PUBLICATION HAS JUST RELEASED A HIGHLY IRRESPONSIBLE ARTICLE AND VIDEO. HTTPS://ELECTREK.CO/2019/09/19/TESLA-AUTOPILOT-V10-COMMUTE-WITHOUT-DRIVER-INTERVENTION/ THIS EVEN SHOWS THE TESLA FITTED WITH A "NAG DEFEATER" ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE OWNERS TO HAVE EVEN MORE MISPLACED CONFIDENCE IN THE AUTOPILOT AND WILL MOST CERTAINLY CAUSE MORE DEATHS. PLEASE STOP THIS DANGEROUS EXPERIMENT WHICH IS RECKLESSLY ENDANGERING INNOCENT ROAD USERS. PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAVE USED THE VIN OF A WRECKED TESLA MODEL 3 SO AS TO BE ABLE TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT. I AM NOT A TESLA OWNER BUT I HAVE TO SHARE THE PUBLIC ROADS WITH THESE LETHAL VEHICLES. THANK YOU. NOTE - DUMMY USA ADDRESS USED TO NEGOTIATE YOUR WEBSITE. CORRECT NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED WITH THIS COMPLAINT.
#11245138 |
MODEL 3 IN JUNKYARD. NOT IN A CRASH. NO AIR-BAGS GONE OFF. FRONT SUSPENSION ARM SNAPPED OFF. STEERING TIE-ROD SNAPPED OFF. TESLA SEEMS TO BE PROCURING ITS STEERING AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS FROM A PRETZEL FACTORY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. CONCERNED CITIZEN ETC. THANK YOU. HAVE A FANTASTIC DAY.
#11241562 |
I WAS DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON CA HWY 101 WHEN I INITIATED A LANE CHANGE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT WITH AUTOPILOT ENGAGED. AFTER BEGINNING TO MAKE THE LANE CHANGE TO THE RIGHT, THE CAR ABRUPTLY VEERED BACK INTO THE LEFT LANE, THEN SLOWLY STARTED TO MOVE BACK INTO THE RIGHT LANE. IT WAS AT THAT TIME THAT I DISENGAGED THE AUTOPILOT.
#11155420 |
ON 2 OCCASIONS, WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN ENHANCED AUTO-PILOT AND ENGAGED AUTO LANE CHANGE, THE CAR STARTED CHANGING LANES, THEN ABRUPTLY SWERVED BACK INTO MY ORIGINAL LANE. ON THE FIRST OCCASION, IT IS POSSIBLE I DID NOT PUSH THE LANE CHANGE INDICATOR DOWN FAR ENOUGH. ON THE SECOND OCCASION, THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. THE INDICATOR WAS PUSHED DOWN ALL THE WAY, I LOOKED BEHIND ME AND COAST WAS CLEAR. IT'S NOT AT ALL APPARENT WHY THE CAR ABORTED THE LANE CHANGE. IT WAS RAINING. I WAS DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT, 55 MPH ON A 4-5 LANE HIGHWAY AND I WAS IN A MIDDLE LANE, CHANGING TINTO ANOTHER MIDDLE LANE. IN THE FIRST INCIDENT, I WAS DRIVING ON THE SAME HIGHWAY, NO RAIN.
#11151758 |
WHILE TRAVELING ON ENHANCED AUTOPILOT AND CHANGING LANES USING THE DIRECTION STALK, I HAVE NOTED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS OCCASIONALLY SWERVED BACK INTO THE ORIGINAL LANE BEFORE COMPLETING THE LANE CHANGE. THIS HAPPENED TO ME THREE TIMES DURING MY DRIVE FROM PALM SPRINGS TO SAN DIEGO ON NOVEMBER 12. IT HAPPENED TWICE ON CHANGING TO THE LEFT LANE AND ONCE WHILE CHANGING TO THE RIGHT. ON NONE OF THESE OCCASIONS WAS A VEHICLE IN THE NEXT LANE OR ACCELERATING IN THAT LANE TOWARDS THE VEHICLE. NEEDLESS TO SAY, IT WAS A BIT ALARMING. OTHER OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THIS AS WELL AS NOTED IN HTTPS://FORUMS.TESLA.COM/FORUM/FORUMS/AUTOPILOT-RANDOM-LANE-CHANGES-AND-SWERVES.
#11105184 |
I HAVE HAD A SERIES OF ESCALATING INCIDENTS (SEE ATTACHED PDF) THAT HAVE EACH INVOLVED THE VEHICLE DISABLING AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS), TRACTION CONTROL, PARTIAL STEERING CONTROL, REGENERATIVE BRAKING (FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE), AND MOST RECENTLY EXPERIENCED COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING FUNCTION WHILE REVERSING AS WELL AS AN ADDITIONAL WARNING THAT MY AIRBAG WAS DISABLED. INITIALLY I WAS ADVISED TO RESET MY CAR SINCE IT MAY BE A SOFTWARE GLITCH SIMILAR TO A COMPUTER OR PHONE NEEDING A RESTART. AFTER SEVERAL INCIDENTS, I WAS ADVISED TO TAKE IT TO A SERVICE CENTER WHERE I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A FIRMWARE ISSUES KNOWN TO TESLA, BUT EXPERIENCED A CRITICAL SHUT DOWN OF MY VEHICLE'S PERFORMANCE AND SAFETY FUNCTIONS THE NEXT DAY. I HAVE SEEN BEEN INFORMED THAT THEY HAVE REPLACED THE HIGH VOLTAGE REGULATOR AND THE WIRING HARNESS. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED AN UPDATE SINCE CONFIRMING THAT THEY BELIEVE THE...
#11092162 |
HERE IS A VIDEO THAT HAS JUST BEEN UPLOADED TO YOUTUBE: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=4GUHSMIPIQ4 THIS OWNER THINKS IT IS PERFECTLY SAFE TO JAM SOME FRUIT IN THE STEERING WHEEL TO ELIMINATE THE "HOLD STEERING WHEEL" NAGS. HE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A COMPLETE IDIOT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT HE HAS BEEN MISLEAD BY THE HYPE SPREAD BY TESLA AND CEO ELON MUSK. DESPITE SEVERAL FATAL CRASHES MUSK IS STILL SPREADING THE MESSAGE THAT NHTSA FOUND AUTOPILOT IS 40% SAFER THAN A HUMAN DRIVER. NHTSA HAS NOW REVEALED THAT THE CLAIM WAS BASED ON TESLA'S OWN (UNVERIFIED) DATA. MORE PEOPLE WILL DIE UNLESS THIS UNCONTROLLED AND HIGHLY DANGEROUS EXPERIMENT IS HALTED IMMEDIATELY. PLEASE DO SOMETHING. THANK YOU. DEEPLY CONCERNED CITIZEN.

Other 2018 TESLA MODEL 3 Problem Areas

Unknown Or Other 166 complaints Suspension 159 complaints Electrical System 152 complaints Air Bags 124 complaints Forward Collision Avoidance Adaptive Cruise Control 124 complaints Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking 111 complaints Seat Belts 97 complaints Vehicle Speed Control 89 complaints Service Brakes 85 complaints Seats 67 complaints Structurebody 47 complaints Visibilitywiper 46 complaints Forward Collision Avoidance Warnings 37 complaints Power Train 26 complaints Wheels 25 complaints Fuelpropulsion System 23 complaints Lane Departure Assist 23 complaints Lane Departure Blind Spot Detection 22 complaints Exterior Lighting 15 complaints Lane Departure Warning 14 complaints Visibility 13 complaints Back Over Prevention 11 complaints Engine 9 complaints Back Over Prevention Warnings 5 complaints Back Over Prevention Rearview System Braking 4 complaints Electrical Systemadasautonomousself Driving 4 complaints Electronic Stability Control Esc 4 complaints Air Bagssensoroccupant Classification 3 complaints Back Over Prevention Sensing System Camera 3 complaints Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch 3 complaints Air Bags Air Bagrestraint Control Modulesoftware 2 complaints Electrical Systemadasautonomousself Drivingsoftware 2 complaints Tires 2 complaints Air Bagssensoroccupant Classificationfront Passenger 1 complaint Air Bagssrs Malfunction Warning Lamplight 1 complaint Electrical System12v24v48v Battery 1 complaint Electrical Systemadas 1 complaint Electrical Systemadashudcamerasensor 1 complaint Equipment 1 complaint Equipmentelectricalinfotainment 1 complaint Forward Collision Avoidance 1 complaint Lane Departure Lane Keep Automatic Steering 1 complaint Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch Plate 1 complaint Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatchemergency Mechanical Release 1 complaint Seat Beltsfront 1 complaint Service Brakes Hydraulic 1 complaint Structure 1 complaint Structurebodybumpers 1 complaint Structurebodydoorhandleexterior 1 complaint Structurebodyroof And Pillars 1 complaint Structureframe And Members 1 complaint Structureframe And Membersunderbody Shields 1 complaint Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System 1 complaint
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