Key facts
- NHTSA is investigating approximately 1.2 million Tesla vehicles over suspension failures.
- The probe concerns reports of front lower lateral link detachment in Model 3 and Model Y vehicles.
- 156 complaints allege the issue, with some vehicles requiring towing after failure.
- NHTSA previously closed an investigation into 75,000 Tesla Model S and Model X vehicles for similar suspension issues without a recall.
- In the closed probe, NHTSA determined vehicles could still be controlled if front fore links failed.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated a preliminary investigation into approximately 1.2 million Tesla vehicles following numerous complaints of suspension failures. The agency cited 156 reports alleging that the front lower lateral link has detached in certain Model 3 (2018-2020) and Model Y (2021-2023) vehicles, raising concerns about a potential loss of steering control.
Most of the complaints indicated a lack of prior warning before the suspension detachment, although some owners reported hearing noises beforehand. Vehicles often required towing after the failure occurred. NHTSA noted that these reported issues extend beyond the scope of two prior Tesla recalls related to lateral link detachments and do not appear to stem from the production issue addressed in those recalls. The preliminary evaluation aims to determine the root cause, scope, and severity of the potential defect.
In a separate development, U.S. highway safety regulators closed an investigation into nearly 75,000 Tesla vehicles, including Model S (2015-2017) and Model X (2016-2017), concerning similar suspension part failures without issuing a recall. The NHTSA concluded that these vehicles could still be controlled by drivers even if the front fore links failed. While Tesla conducted a customer satisfaction campaign in 2017 to replace fore links on some vehicles, the agency found this program did not cover 75% of the failures identified in its investigation and recommended Tesla expand the replacement initiative.