Tesla Model Y Loses Steering While Driving, Owner Then Sent Bill For Fixing It

Having gone through the ordeal of his Model Y’s steering wheel falling off, an owner was then charged $104 to have it fixed, before the service centre backtracked

Matt Robinson

Updated: 31 Jan 2023

@elonmusk @TeslaOwnersWW @BLKMDL3 Family was excited to receive Tesla Y delivery on 1/24/2023. Was driving on highway and all the sudden steering wheel fall off, was lucky enough there was no car behind and I was able to pull on devider #SafetyFirst #Fixit #TeslaModelY #help pic.twitter.com/4UMokFA2cv
— Prerak (@preneh24) January 30, 2023

The thought of a steering wheel falling off a car at speed is a nightmare driving scenario, and one Tesla Model Y driver had to live through it. Twitter user @preneh posted images of the aftermath of an incident that occurred on a highway in Woodbridge, New Jersey, showing the wheel dangling and held only by a wiring harness.

Thankfully, @preneh was able to pull to a stop without hitting anything or anyone. Woodbridge Police were soon in attendance, and the one-week-old Model Y was towed to a nearby Tesla service centre. Which, just to make the whole situation worse, promptly sent a virtual bill for $103.96.

The charge was later removed, but unsurprisingly, @preneh wanted to go a step further and send the car back for a full refund, a request which was declined, as Tesla’s no-quibble seven-day return policy was binned in 2020. Instead, the dealership - which later called and apologised for the incident - has given the man two options: either keep the car “with assurance [sic]” or have it replaced with a new vehicle.

@elonmusk Am I responsible for manufacturing defect? It’s not even week and getting bill for faulty steering wheel. Isn’t it company’s responsibility to fix it? I would greatly appreciate refund and keep the car as we lost trust and family is not feeling safe driving it back. pic.twitter.com/7ZsO4ZiXNu
— Prerak (@preneh24) January 30, 2023

This isn’t the first time a Tesla’s steering wheel has made a bid for freedom - in 2020 a Model 3 owner experienced something similar in an also fairly fresh car. It turned out the bolt that was supposed to be holding the wheel on hadn’t been installed at all.

Although worrying reports of shoddy Tesla quality control do crop up from time to time, it’s worth noting Ford recalled some 1.4 million vehicles in 2018 for a steering wheel retaining bolt that was at risk of working loose over time. In 2022, Hyundai recalled a handful of vehicles due to an incorrectly torqued bolt connecting the steering rack and column, giving the potential for steering failure.