2021 Tesla Model S Steering problems

On October 17, 2025, while using Full Self-Driving (FSD) mode on my 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid, the car failed to stop at two red lights within a three-hour period. In each case, the car attempted to drive through the intersection even though the signal was solid red. I intervened manually and applied the brakes to prevent a potential collision. There were no prior warnings or alerts, and I have not modified the vehicle. This behavior endangers my safety and the safety of others. I am willing to provide the vehicle and any available data logs for inspection if requested.

The wrap on the steering yoke is peeling, already had a steering yoke replacement 18 months ago under warranty, and this replacement steering yoke exibiting same peeling issue. Could be a safety grip issue as the yoke portion is more slippery at the peeled section. Tesla refuses to replace this faulty yoke as a covered safety item.

4 months after warranty and only 42,774 miles, I am being hit with a massive bill of almost $2,700 from Tesla service in Lyndhurst, OH. This to correct right and left front end basic suspension issues that should not occur. Clearly the front end is not designed to handle the weight of car. The service manager told me that he sees this every day!! The car is not safe to drive until repairs are made. There was no trauma to the front end only normal wear and tear. The front end started making noise which had me take it to the dealer.

I am the owner of a 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid (VIN# [[redacted]] ). At approximately 12,000 miles - well within the 4-year/50,000-mile Basic Vehicle Warranty - I began experiencing peeling on the yoke steering wheel. I reported this issue verbally at the time, but Tesla staff failed to document the concern, and the Tesla app provided no suitable method to submit the issue. Since then, I have made multiple good-faith attempts to schedule service for this defect. However, each time I have been met with out-of-pocket...

The horn button on the yoke steering wheel is a safety hazard. In a situation that requires quick responsiveness immediate reaction is to press the center of the steering wheel. Tesla has come out with a retro fit and the new yoke has it in the center. I am paying $1,000 for the retro fit for my safety and the safety of others. I expect the NHS to also look at this concern and address to assist with the prevention of accidents.

I have the yoke steering wheel. To activate the horn, you press on the right side of the steering wheel. I was driving at freeway speeds and a car did not see me and started to move into my lane. Due to the placement of the horn on the side next to windshield wipers, the wipers went on but not the horn. You have to take your eyes off the road to look down for the horn. Tesla is aware of the dangers of the placement of the horn and has a new yoke steering wheel with the horn in the traditional position, center...

Vehicle constantly overheats and causes charger to overheat. This causes the charging rate to reduce constantly. Home infrastructure has been checked and confirmed to be wired properly by multiple electricians. The suspension makes lots of noises and is a rough ride despite being constantly checked by the service center.

Due to the yoke not having a traditional horn button it is hard to remember to push the tiny capacative touch button... very dangerous. Also the yoke feels more dangerous than a normal wheel.

Front suspension has a popping and creaking sound when driving and turning steering wheel. Safety issue as sounds something is loose but Tesla says no issue it's the body flexing which is even scarier to hear the panels rattling if this is in fact true. Tesla will not do anything about it. Additionally the brakes and rotors squeal when pressed at slow speeds coming to full hard stop. Both front and back. Both brakes and rotors have 90% life and according to Tesla shouldn't need replacing until 90k miles due to...

Left turn signal button randomly stops working, have to click right signal then left again for it to work. Happens about 2-3 times per week

Went to a Tesla dealership to get my car aligned. 4 days later they told me that my car couldn't be aligned because my fron lower control arm was bent or broken. I purchased the car from Tesla with 5700 miles. The cad had about 19k miles when it went in for alignment. Seen owning the vehicle I never had an accident or damage to vehicle that would cause such damage. Like always they like to blame the customer to we can cover the defects of there vehicles.

Dear Sir/Madam, I am highly concerned about the safety of the newest versions of Tesla Model S, Model X (without stalks), CyberTruck and Model 3 with the code name Highland. These models pose a significant danger when operated without intuitive direction signals, especially in the following situations: 1) Roundabouts: It is nearly impossible to correctly activate the signal lights. Please refer to the following example: [[redacted]] 2) Complete distraction of our focus from the road is required to operate...

After backing out of a parking space and turning the steering wheel, the steering wheel locked up. I could still drive forward and reverse but had no ability to steer the car. I left the car in order to turn it off and when I returned and turned it back on, the steering unlocked. I had this happen two times today.

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 to alert anyone on the road in an emergency, driver can't be scrambling to find a touch sensitive button on the steering. When palm is placed on right side, it just triggers the wiper instead of horn sometimes adding to the chaos of the situation. This is a major issue. Please get it fixed. Don't recall the exact date. So selecting random.

The horn placement on the yoke steering is dangerous and problematic. It is illogical and useless in the prevention of accident avoidance. I have had several scenarios where I have needed to use the horn and could not find it because I was in a turn, or I intuitively slammed the palm of my hand on the center of the yoke, where the horn should be located. Also, when holding the yoke in the proper position my thumb is not long enough to reach the horn button. Just by luck and quick action I was able to avoid being...

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 up out of a parking stall in a parking lot and at the same time another car in the stall next to me was also backing up. I tried went to blow the horn on the steeling wheel and I was not able to find it quickly enough because it is very difficult to find the button in an emergency. Fortunately, the other driver in the car saw me just in the nick of time and was able to stop. The...

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 right thumb. This position causes activation problems in various situations. One example is where quick horn use is required, the natural muscle memory is to push the center of the yoke , (where the horn button is located on all manufactured vehicles). The initial reaction to push the center of the wheel, causes an UNSAFE delay in horn activation, as the user then struggles to find the...

The yoke is DANGEROUS, stupid, offers no benefit. The horn is way off center, meaning it's always in a different place, depending on the turn position. This is criminally stupid, and almost caused 3 accidents already for me. When you need a horn, it's to prevent an accident, and everyone intuitively slams the middle of the steering WHEEL.... There needs to be a recall and provide us with a proper steering wheel, with horn in the middle.

In several potentially dangerous situations I was unable to locate the unusually positioned horn signal in time to reduce the potential for an accident. In these situations an accident did not occur but the situation could have been made much safer if the horn switch was located in the center of the steering wheel (yoke). This also applies to a lesser extent to the unusual position of the headlight high beam switch.

Tesla Sudden Acceleration Accident: I ordered a Tesla Model S on June 21, 2021 and received a Tesla Model S on November 10, 2021. On Monday, February 7th, 2022, at approximately 5pm EST, my Tesla Model S failed to stop in a parking lot. I was pulling into a parking lot at Fawcett Hospital in Port Charlotte, Florida. As I was turning into the parking spot, my Tesla accelerated and drove over the parking stop, crashed into a chain-link fence, and grazed the Honda SUV of a colleague. I tried to brake, but the Tesla...

Beta Autopilot was engaged, driver had hand on steering wheel, vehicle was traveling less than 35MPH (speed limit) and coming around a corner when it misjudged the road curve. The road curved to the left and as the car took the turn it took too wide of a turn and veered slightly off the road. Unfort the front right side of car went up and over the begining of a rock incline. The front right tire blew out and ONLY the side AIrBags deployed (both sides). The car traveled about 500 yards along the road and then...

Power steering malfunction. On January 26, 2022 this brand new car, only 11 days old with 1,656 miles, suffered a malfunction with the steering mechanism and displayed the following warning: "GTW_w074 - Steering assist reduced - Steering may require increased effort." This is a safety issue that should be investigated by the NHTSA.

During afternoon commute in a residential area, driving at 19 mph, a cat running after some type of lizard run in front of my car. I have been driving for the last 40 years, safe driver designation on my license, and have more than 1,000,000 miles on my back without major accident. I instinctively went for the horn in the center of the steering and tried to catch the top of the steering wheel (absent in my car) to change course. Finding a little button among other little buttons to sound the horn is impossible...

I've reported a continually present rack and pinion issue.. FOUR times. Tesla techs claim they don't experience it or that it is 'normal' for this car. The car emits an audible grinding sound plus a visible wheel skipping when turned hard left or right. Today, the right front wheel began to emit a loud whirring sound in addition to the steering issue. Tesla refuses to investigate the issue beyond test drives. The situation could deteriorate quickly resulting in my inability to control the car while driving. It is a very SERIOUS matter.

The Steering yoke is extremely poorly designed. It is very tiring to use, and doubtful that car could be controlled in an emergency. The directionals have no tactile feel. The switches for the horn, directionals, and wipers are flat, with no feel, and easily activated by error when my hand crosses their location. This is a very amateurish design. The standard directionals and shift lever need to be installed. I have been driving this car, with difficult, since 13 September and I hate it more each day.