2021 Tesla Model S Steering Problems

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

29Steering complaints

16.6%Of all 175 complaints

#2Most-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

Unspecified / other43 · 24.6%

STEERING29 · 16.6%

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING27 · 15.4%

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL25 · 14.3%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM22 · 12.6%

Share of the 175 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2021 Tesla Model S overview page.

What owners report

“The steering wheel needs a center push horn. This is not available in 2021 model s. On occasions when someone seerved into my lane or…”NHTSA complaint 11512115 — filed 03/16/2023

“I was recently nearly involved in a traffic accident when I wasn't able to blow the horn on the Tesla steering wheel. I was backing…”NHTSA complaint 11488122 — filed 10/06/2022

“The position of the horn button on the steering yoke is problematic. The horn button on the 2021 Tesla model S is operated by the…”NHTSA complaint 11478879 — filed 08/11/2022

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

Steering complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Tesla Model S have steering problems?

Steering is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 2021 Tesla Model S: 29 of 175 complaints on file (16.6%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2021 Tesla Model S have in total?

175 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 13 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, 4 reported injuries, and 1 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.