Steering Concerns in Tesla Model 3 and Y: Federal Investigation Launched

Hold on, Tesla owners, there's some concerning news on the road. It appears that the steering system in the 2023 Tesla Model 3 and Model Y has been acting up, and now the Feds are stepping in.

Reports are coming in that steering is simply locking up without any apparent reason in these Tesla models, leading to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launching a probe.

Just imagine, you're cruising down the street in your brand-new Tesla, and out of nowhere, the steering goes stiff and rigid. Scary, right? That's exactly what's been reported by several Tesla owners.

The investigation will initially focus on around 280,000 vehicles. So far, 12 official complaints have been made to the NHTSA, with five drivers reporting a complete inability to steer their Teslas. The remaining complaints cite a loss of power steering, making it much harder to control the car.

But don't think it's just these 12 people facing the issue. A quick online search will lead you to Tesla owners' forums, Reddit, and YouTube, where dozens more are voicing similar concerns.

One owner described a terrifying incident while driving with his kids, saying, "The steering went stiff and rigid while turning into the main road. She went into oncoming traffic luckily, the cars swirled to avoid a crash."

Another owner had their steering lock up at an intersection just five days after getting their Model Y. Tesla Support's response? A suggestion to reset the car and a casual mention that "this issue happens 'every now and then.'"

It turns out Teslas don't have an actual steering lock function, so these issues seem to be a failure within the power steering system. Support staff confirmed that steering does function but requires extreme effort, a situation described as "Very scary" by those who experienced it.

Now, considering that the Model 3 and Model Y are top sellers for Tesla, they'll likely want to figure this out fast. Especially since it's not the first steering issue they've had – remember when steering wheels were falling off while driving?

Compared to how Nissan swiftly handled a similar scenario with the Ariya, it might be time for Tesla to step on the gas with this one. Stay tuned, Tesla drivers, and stay safe!