Tesla Safety Probe
NHTSA Investigates 1.2 Million Teslas Over Suspension Failures Risking Steering Loss
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Key Points
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NHTSA officials say the latest suspension failures do not appear tied to the production issue behind the prior recalls, and the new complaints extend beyond the earlier recall population, suggesting a broader safety concern rather than a single manufacturing defect.
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Past recalls targeted front lower lateral-link fasteners: about 2,800 Model 3s in 2021 and 422 in 2023, underscoring a recurring suspension issue that regulators have previously tried to address.
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Some owners reported hearing noises before detachment, but many described receiving little or no warning before the suspension failure left the vehicle undriveable.
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Reuters-sharing history notes that Tesla has, in communications with regulators and car owners, been aware of long-running suspension and steering shortcomings and has sometimes attributed such failures to driver negligence.
Federal safety regulators have opened a probe into about 1.2 million Tesla vehicles over reports that suspension parts can suddenly break, causing drivers to lose control of their cars. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, known as NHTSA, launched the investigation after receiving 156 complaints about front suspension failures in Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, according to Briefs.
The probe covers 2018–2020 Model 3 sedans and 2021–2023 Model Y crossovers. Regulators say a part called the front lower lateral link can detach without warning, leaving the vehicle undriveable and requiring a tow. No crashes or injuries have been reported yet, according to GuruFocus.
Suspension Part Breaks With Little Warning to Drivers
Many owners said they had almost no warning before the suspension failed. Some heard strange noises before the part broke. Others reported nothing at all before their car suddenly became impossible to steer, according to Market Screener. The failure can make the vehicle undriveable on the spot.
The part in question is the front lower lateral link. When it detaches, the driver can lose steering control. Regulators say this is a serious safety risk, even though no one has been hurt yet. NHTSA filed this probe under case number PE26006, according to Zoom Bangla News.
Tesla Has Faced Suspension Recalls Before, But This Goes Further
This is not Tesla's first run-in with suspension problems. NHTSA previously recalled about 2,800 Model 3s in 2021 and another 422 in 2023 for faulty front lower lateral-link fasteners. Both recalls targeted the same general area of the car, according to Market Screener AU.
But regulators now say the new complaints do not appear to be tied to the production issue behind those earlier recalls. The new failures stretch beyond the old recall population. That suggests a broader problem — not just a one-time manufacturing error. Regulators want to find the root cause before deciding whether a new recall is needed.
Tesla's History of Blaming Drivers for Suspension Failures
Tesla has faced questions before about how it handles suspension complaints. In past cases, the company sometimes told regulators and owners that suspension failures were caused by driver negligence — not a defect in the car. Internal documents have shown that Tesla was aware of long-running suspension and steering problems, according to Briefs.
Critics say Tesla's quality-control process has not kept up with the company's rapid growth. The new investigation adds to a pattern of scrutiny from safety regulators. For now, no recall has been ordered. NHTSA says this is still a preliminary assessment, meaning regulators are gathering data before deciding next steps.
What Comes Next for Affected Tesla Owners
Owners of 2018–2020 Model 3s and 2021–2023 Model Ys should watch for unusual noises or changes in how their car handles. A preliminary investigation like this one can take months. If NHTSA finds enough evidence of a defect, it can upgrade the probe and eventually order a recall, according to Zoom Bangla News.
Tesla has not issued a public statement on the new probe. NHTSA says 156 complaints have been filed so far. Given that the affected vehicles number 1.2 million, regulators say the scope and severity of the issue still need to be fully understood before any action is taken.
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