The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating over 1 million Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles due to concerns about a front suspension component that may separate while driving.
The regulator has received over 150 complaints about the alleged defect, which poses a risk of loss of control.
The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has collected 156 instances of the suspension part failing suddenly and unexpectedly on certain examples of the Model 3 and Model Y.
Specifically, the complaints point to instances where a front lower lateral link apparently separated from its mounting point, a key part of the car whose failure would likely cause a loss of steering control.
The ODI’s probe is focusing on Model 3 vehicles from the 2018 to 2020 model years and Model Y vehicles from the 2021 to 2023 model years.
If a recall were to be issued, it could encompass approximately 1.2 million vehicles, as both models use many similar parts and pieces during assembly.
No crashes or injuries have been recorded in association with these reported failures, with incidents generally resulting in an immobile car and a ride to the garage on the back of a tow truck.
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Some owners who experienced the failures reported very little warning before the car’s suspension let go, while others allege no indication was given that an important part was about to fail.
This evaluation is just the first of many steps that have to be taken before an actual recall is announced, and other actions, such as an engineering analysis, need to be carried out and studied.
The movement by the ODI shows that the reported issue is on the NHTSA radar, and different from previous attention paid to Tesla suspensions by regulators.
If you have one of these vehicles and are concerned, it might be a good idea to get the car checked by a trusted mechanic, as physical suspension problems can’t be fixed by a software update.
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Matthew Guy is a lifelong gearhead who writes automotive content for Canadian and American outlets. He is alternately described as a freelance author, podcast host, road test magnate, and legend in his own mind. As a member of AJAC, he enjoys sharing his excitement about cars and is very pleased to contribute at Driving. EXPERIENCE Matthew’s goal is to put readers in the driver’s seat for a unique and entertaining look at the automotive industry – whether penning vehicle reviews with a creative bent, travelling to manufacturer events for first drives of new models, or speaking with industry stakeholders to gain extra insight for an article During the past decade, he has enjoyed creating unique and creative long-distance adventure drives, sating his (and the reader’s) appetite for driving accomplishments like traversing the spartan wilds of Labrador. Timed challenges in speedy machines also spin his crank. For a spell, he was also behind the microphone for this site’s Truck Guy podcast, interviewing guests ranging from knowledgeable local technicians to world
