NHTSA probes 1 million-plus Teslas

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a preliminary evaluation on July 29 into an estimated 1,198,300 Tesla vehicles after receiving 156 complaints alleging a suspension failure that can affect steering control. The probe covers 2018-2020 Tesla Model 3 sedans and 2021-2023 Model Y sport utility vehicles, according to NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation. The agency said the reported failure involves detachment of the front lower lateral link. In most cases, NHTSA said, drivers reported no advance warning before the part failed. ### Which Tesla models are in the federal probe? NHTSA said the investigation covers 2018-2020 Model 3 vehicles and 2021-2023 Model Y vehicles built by Tesla, Inc. The agency estimated the population at 1,198,300 vehicles. The case is listed as Preliminary Evaluation PE26006 in NHTSA’s investigations database. July 29 is the date NHTSA lists for opening the case. The agency’s public investigations page says defect investigations can be searched by the date they were opened or closed. (static.nhtsa.gov) ### What part is regulators focusing on? NHTSA said the reported defect involves the front lower lateral link, a suspension component. The agency wrote that the alleged failure is a detachment of that link, which “potentially causes a loss of vehicle directional control.” (static.nhtsa.gov) The 156 complaints reviewed by ODI allege suspension failures in the covered Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. (static.nhtsa.gov) NHTSA said some complainants reported noises before the failure, but added that owners said the vehicle provided no visual warnings. Once the failure occurs, the agency said, the vehicle may no longer be drivable and may need a tow. ### How serious were the complaints NHTSA counted? (static.nhtsa.gov) NHTSA’s opening resume lists 156 incidents and shows zero crashes, zero fires, zero injuries and zero fatalities in the failure summary tied to the probe at the time it was opened. The agency said most cases involved no advance warning or indication that the suspension failure would occur. The ODI database entry repeats that description and says the preliminary evaluation is meant to determine the underlying cause, scope and severity of the potential problem and to assess any safety-related issues. (static.nhtsa.gov) ### Didn’t Tesla already recall some cars for this? NHTSA said Tesla had previously recalled vehicles for lateral link detachments in two earlier actions. The agency said recall 21V-835 covered 2,791 model-year 2019-2021 Model 3 vehicles because of a production issue, while recall 23V-235 covered 422 model-year 2018-2019 Model 3 vehicles that had experienced similar failures. (static.nhtsa.gov) (api.nhtsa.gov) The agency said the failures now under investigation “exceed the scope of these recalls” and “do not appear to be related to the production issue” behind those earlier actions. That language is part of the reason the new probe matters: NHTSA is examining whether a broader or different defect may be involved than the one addressed in those prior recalls. ### What happens next for Tesla owners? (static.nhtsa.gov) NHTSA said a preliminary evaluation is the first formal stage of a defect investigation and is used to determine cause, scope and severity before the agency decides whether to close the matter, seek a recall or escalate the case. The agency’s recalls portal says owners can search by VIN for recalls, investigations, complaints and manufacturer communications. (static.nhtsa.gov) PE26006 remains listed as open in NHTSA’s database. Tesla owners with covered vehicles can monitor that case number and check NHTSA’s recall and safety-issues tools for updates as the investigation proceeds. (api.nhtsa.gov) (static.nhtsa.gov)