The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has closed a preliminary evaluation into nearly 75,000 Tesla vehicles due to front suspension failures. Despite complaints alleging failures in certain models, the agency found that these failures did not prevent the ability to control the vehicle. However, tens of thousands of owners have experienced premature failures of suspension or steering parts since 2016, with Tesla allegedly blaming drivers for these issues despite knowing about the defects. The regulator reported that most failures occurred at low speeds while parking, and Tesla has had nine recalls in the U.S. related to steering and suspension problems since 2018. Despite Tesla issuing a bulletin in 2017 to replace the component in some vehicles, the NHTSA recommended expanding this bulletin to cover all vehicles with similar issues.
Introduction:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently closed a preliminary evaluation into a significant number of Tesla vehicles over front suspension failures. Despite complaints and concerns over potential safety issues with certain models, the agency ultimately concluded that these failures did not impact the ability to control the vehicle. However, reports of a high number of premature failures of suspension or steering parts in Tesla vehicles have raised questions about the company’s response to these issues. This article will explore the details of the investigation, the concerns raised by Tesla owners, and the NHTSA’s recommendations for addressing these safety issues.
## Allegations and Investigation
The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened a probe into front suspension failures in 2015-2017 Tesla Model S and 2016-2017 Model X vehicles based on complaints from owners. These complaints specifically cited the failure of front suspension fore links, which are crucial components of a vehicle’s suspension system. While a failed fore link could potentially cause additional damage to other parts, the agency found that these failures did not result in any instances where the driver lost control of the vehicle. This led to the closure of the preliminary evaluation, despite concerns raised by Tesla owners and former employees.
## Customer Experiences and Tesla’s Response
Reports from Tesla owners and former employees suggest that the company has long been aware of issues related to suspension and steering parts in its vehicles. A significant number of owners have experienced premature failures of these components, leading to questions about Tesla’s handling of the situation. Documents reportedly show that Tesla tried to shift blame onto drivers for the failures, despite knowing that the components were defective. This raises concerns about transparency and accountability within the company when it comes to addressing safety-related issues in its vehicles.
## Recalls and Consumer Bulletins
According to the NHTSA, Tesla has had nine recalls in the United States related to steering and suspension problems since 2018. While the automaker issued a consumer satisfaction bulletin in 2017 to replace the component in some vehicles, the bulletin did not cover a significant portion of the failures identified in the investigation. The agency recommended that Tesla expand the terms of the bulletin to include all vehicles equipped with fore links to ensure that all potentially affected vehicles are addressed.
## Safety Concerns and Moving Forward
The closure of the NHTSA’s evaluation does not mean that there are no safety issues associated with Tesla vehicles. The agency’s records show a history of recalls related to steering and suspension problems, indicating a pattern of issues that need to be addressed. As Tesla continues to innovate and expand its vehicle lineup, ensuring the safety and reliability of its vehicles should be a top priority. By addressing concerns raised by regulators, owners, and former employees, Tesla can demonstrate its commitment to maintaining high safety standards and prioritizing customer wellbeing.