Tesla Vehicles Under Investigation

(Digital Itla) The auto safety regulator in the United States has initiated a preliminary investigation into potential defects in approximately 1.2 million vehicles produced by the well-known American company, Tesla.

The investigation aims to evaluate complaints raising concerns that suspension system failures could affect steering control.

According to the NHTSA, the agency’s Office of Defects Investigation has received 156 complaints claiming that the front lower lateral link can detach on certain 2018–2020 Model 3 and 2021–2023 Model Y vehicles.

A Reuters report notes that the regulator warned this defect could render the vehicle undrivable, requiring it to be towed to a service workshop.

Most complaints indicated there was no clear prior warning before the failure occurred, though some owners reported hearing unusual noises before the component broke.

The agency clarified that no accidents, injuries, or fatalities related to this potential defect have been reported so far.

The NHTSA stated that it has launched a preliminary evaluation—the first phase of investigating such defects. If a serious safety defect is proven during the inquiry, a mandatory vehicle recall could be ordered.

Tesla has previously recalled vehicles for similar issues. In 2021, approximately 2,800 Model 3 vehicles were recalled due to a manufacturing defect, while in 2023, another 422 Model 3 vehicles were recalled for a similar problem.

However, the US regulator noted that the recent complaints fall outside the scope of previous recalls and do not appear to stem from the manufacturing defect that prompted past actions. Consequently, the current investigation will conduct a thorough review of the root cause, scope, and severity of the potential flaw.

Tesla has not immediately commented on the matter.

In 2023, Reuters published a report claiming that Tesla had internally tracked certain technical issues related to suspension and steering for years, though the company frequently attributed the damages to driver misuse when dealing with customers and US authorities.