Tesla Model Y, Model 3 steering failures under investigation in the US

US road safety regulators have launched a probe into the Tesla Model Y SUV and Model 3 sedan – the most popular electric cars in the world – following multiple reports of drivers of losing steering control on the road.

As reported by CarBuzz, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) – the country’s peak road safety body – has launched a preliminary investigation into approximately 180,000 Model Year 2023 Teslas.

According to NHTSA, it has received 12 official reports from drivers of 2023 Tesla Model Y and Model 3 electric cars who have allegedly experienced a loss of power steering or steering control while driving.

Of the 12 reported instances, five of these indicated a complete inability to steer the car, while one resulted in a crash – though no injuries were recorded.

While these 12 instances of steering control being lost or reduced cover instances of the fault which have been officially reported to NHTSA, CarBuzz reports this does not include additional incidents which have been caught on camera and uploaded online to media platforms such as YouTube and Reddit.

A number of owners have also taken to the Tesla Motors Club online forum to vent their frustrations, claiming their Model Ys and Model 3s have lost steering control while on the move – leaving the car in dangerous positions among unaware traffic.

One forum user – who claims their car could be driven again after being locked and unlocked – alleges a Tesla support member told them the issue “happens every now and then” after they called to report the fault.

As the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y are not believed to have a steering lock function, the total lack of steering control has been attributed by some to a temporary power steering failure, which would make it difficult for drivers to turn the wheel.

The latest investigation follows a NHTSA-instigated recall of 2022 and 2023 model-year Tesla Model Ys, which were affected by a fault which could cause their steering wheels to detach on the road.

A total of 137 US-market Model Ys were recalled for the steering wheel fault, which was attributed to the vehicles being delivered without a retaining bolt for the wheel and steering column.

It’s worth noting that the Australian-delivered Tesla Model 3 and Model Y are built in China, not the US, and there have been no reported instances of steering failure from the electric cars locally.

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