2013 Tesla Model S Steering Problems

NHTSA component category: STEERING · data through 07/14/2026

29Steering complaints

6.3%Of all 459 complaints

#5Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How steering ranks on this vehicle

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM190 · 41.4%

Unspecified / other122 · 26.6%

SUSPENSION91 · 19.8%

POWER TRAIN33 · 7.2%

STEERING29 · 6.3%

Share of the 459 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2013 Tesla Model S overview page.

What owners report

“DURING ALL ELECTRICAL FAULT FAILURES THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. I'VE HAD 6 SERVICE VISITS RELATED TO ELECTRICAL FAULTS CAUSING MECHANICAL FAILURES. THE STEERING RACK FAILURE…”NHTSA complaint 11245490 — filed 08/21/2019

“INTERMITTENT LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST, LEAVING THE STEERING WHEEL ALMOST IMMOBILE, AND VERY HAZARDOUS DRIVING UNDER THE WRONG CIRCUMSTANCES. THE PROBLEM STARTED AFTER…”NHTSA complaint 11208108 — filed 05/16/2019

“MY STEERING FAILED AT 27000 MILES AND 5 YEARS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONE WEEK BEFORE TESLA ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THE SERVICE CENTER…”NHTSA complaint 11084066 — filed 04/09/2018

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Steering complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Tesla Model S have steering problems?

Steering is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 2013 Tesla Model S: 29 of 459 complaints on file (6.3%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2013 Tesla Model S have in total?

459 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 41 involved a crash, 19 involved a fire, 24 reported injuries, and 5 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's steering category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the STEERING category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.