US safety regulator investigates 1.2 million Tesla vehicles over suspension concerns
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a preliminary investigation into approximately 1.2 million Tesla vehicles following reports of suspension failures that could result in a loss of steering control.
The inquiry represents one of the latest regulatory reviews involving the electric vehicle manufacturer and will assess whether a broader safety defect exists in certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles sold in the United States.
Investigation follows more than 150 complaints
According to the NHTSA, its Office of Defects Investigation has received 156 consumer complaints alleging that the front lower lateral suspension link detached while vehicles were in operation.
The preliminary investigation covers:
- Tesla Model 3 (2018–2020)
- Tesla Model Y (2021–2023)
Regulators said the reported failures could potentially affect steering performance, increasing the risk of vehicle control issues.
Owners report sudden failures
The NHTSA stated that most complaints indicated there was no advance warning before the suspension component detached.
Some drivers reported hearing unusual noises shortly before the failure occurred, but many said the problem happened unexpectedly, leaving the vehicles unable to continue operating.
Several complaints indicated that affected vehicles had to be towed after the suspension failure.
Probe extends beyond previous recalls
Federal regulators noted that the reported incidents appear to extend beyond the scope of two previous Tesla recalls involving lateral suspension links.
According to the agency, the newly reported failures do not appear to be linked to the manufacturing issue addressed during those earlier recall campaigns.
As part of the preliminary evaluation, investigators will determine the potential root cause of the reported defect, estimate the number of affected vehicles and assess whether additional regulatory action is warranted.
Tesla yet to comment
Tesla had not issued an immediate response to requests for comment following the announcement of the investigation.
A preliminary investigation does not automatically result in a recall. Instead, it is the first stage of the NHTSA's defect review process and is intended to determine whether a more extensive engineering analysis or enforcement action is necessary.
The outcome of the investigation could influence future safety measures affecting more than one million Tesla vehicles operating on U.S. roads.
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