NHTSA Launches Investigation into Suspension Issues Affecting 1.2 Million Tesla Cars

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating approximately 1.2 million Tesla vehicles due to reports of suspension failures that may lead to “a loss of vehicle directional control.” This preliminary inquiry covers the 2018-2020 Model 3 and the 2021-2023 Model Y, as noted in a filing from the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation.

The NHTSA has received 156 complaints regarding this issue, which involves the detachment of the front lower lateral link. In most cases examined, the failure occurred without any prior warning, although some reports mentioned noises that preceded the failure. So far, the NHTSA has not recorded any crashes, injuries, or fatalities associated with this potential problem.

This isn’t Tesla’s first encounter with suspension-related issues. In 2021, the company recalled 2,791 Model Y and Model 3 vehicles due to a possible suspension defect. They later issued another recall for additional Model 3 vehicles after the NHTSA discovered that a loose fastener could lead to the lateral link separating from the sub-frame. The NHTSA indicates that the complaints related to the current investigation do not seem to be connected to these previous issues.