On July 31, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a preliminary probe into approximately 1.2 million Tesla vehicles following consumer reports that a component of the front suspension may detach, risking a loss of steering control.
The agency's Office of Defects Investigation said it has collected 156 complaints alleging that the front lower lateral link detached in specific Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. The complaints cited in the agency notice cover certain Model 3 units from 2018 to 2020 and Model Y units from 2021 to 2023.
According to the regulator, most of the complaints described an abrupt failure without prior warning, although some owners reported hearing noises before the detachment occurred. In multiple incidents where the suspension separated, vehicles required towing.
NHTSA also noted that these reported failures go beyond the scope of two earlier Tesla recalls that addressed lateral link detachments. The preliminary evaluation will seek to determine the underlying cause of the reported detachments, the scope of affected vehicles, and the severity of the potential defect. The agency said the current reports do not appear to be tied to the production issue corrected in those earlier recalls.
The announcement did not include an immediate comment from the automaker. The regulator's preliminary evaluation is intended to gather facts on whether a safety defect exists and, if so, its root cause and breadth.
This review by the NHTSA represents an early-stage fact-gathering step rather than a determination that a defect exists. The agency will use the information from the 156 complaints and any additional data it collects to assess whether further action, including a broader investigation or recall, is warranted.
For vehicle owners impacted by a detachment event, reports indicate the loss of steering control and the need to tow the vehicle following separation of the front lower lateral link. The regulator's statement underscored that many incidents were reported without advance warning, which bears on consumer exposure to sudden steering issues.
The preliminary evaluation will examine cause, scope and severity to establish whether the reported detachments constitute a safety defect that requires remedial measures.