NHTSA Investigates Tesla for Power Steering Failure
TapTechNews May 30th news, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Wednesday that it is investigating Tesla Model 3 and Model Y models due to power steering failure problems and has asked Tesla to provide relevant records.
The agency upgraded its previous preliminary assessment to a formal investigation in February and sent a letter to Tesla on Tuesday, asking it to provide records on steering components by July 24, and the letter's content has also been posted on the NHTSA website.
NHTSA requires Tesla to provide records of issues including the process of identifying problems and formulating potential defect solutions. In addition, the agency also wants to know whether Tesla has made any improvements to the power steering components and whether there are plans to make improvements in the next four months.
As of TapTechNews' press time, Tesla has not commented on this investigation.
This investigation involves approximately 334,000 2023 Model 3 and Model Y models. Previously, NHTSA has received 115 complaints about steering out-of-control, including steering system malfunctions or related failures, and the steering system being stuck, locked, unable to turn, or requiring greater steering effort. Other complaints also involve the steering system being stuttering or squeaking, and error messages or warnings related to steering.
NHTSA launched a preliminary assessment in July 2023 for reports of steering out-of-control in 280,000 Tesla Model 3 and Model Y models and said in February this year that it has received a total of 2,388 complaints.
According to a report by Reuters in December last year, according to Tesla's documents and interviews with customers and former employees, since 2016, tens of thousands of Tesla owners have experienced premature failure problems of suspension or steering components. The report said that Tesla's documents show that the carmaker has tried to blame the driver for the frequent failures of suspension and steering components, while they have known for a long time that there are defects in these components.
Some Tesla owners reported being unable to turn the steering wheel, while others said they require greater steering effort. NHTSA said that they have learned that at least 50 Tesla cars have been towed for repair due to this problem.
NHTSA records show that Tesla has carried out a total of 9 recalls in the US due to steering and suspension problems since 2018.