The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a preliminary investigation into approximately 1.2 million Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles following complaints that a suspension component may fail and potentially affect steering control.
The investigation covers Model 3 vehicles from the 2018 to 2020 model years and Model Y vehicles produced between 2021 and 2023.
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Suspension Component Under Review
According to the NHTSA, the investigation follows 156 owner complaints alleging that the front lower lateral link can detach unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion.
The front lower lateral link is a critical suspension component connecting the steering knuckle to the vehicle’s subframe. It helps maintain wheel alignment, supports suspension geometry and absorbs lateral forces during cornering.
If the component fails, steering and directional stability may be significantly compromised, increasing the risk of a loss of vehicle control.
The agency said many owners reported that failures occurred without warning. While some drivers noticed unusual noises before the incident, most complaints indicated there were no warning messages displayed by the vehicle before the suspension component detached.
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Several reports stated that affected vehicles became undriveable and required towing.
No Reported Crashes or Injuries
The NHTSA said it has not received reports of crashes, injuries or fatalities linked to the alleged defect.
Its Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is now reviewing the complaints to determine the scope of the issue and identify the underlying technical cause.
Previous Recalls
Tesla has previously recalled vehicles involving the lower lateral link.
In 2021, the company recalled approximately 2,800 vehicles over a related issue, followed by another recall covering 422 Model 3 vehicles in 2023.
However, the NHTSA said the complaints being examined in the current investigation appear to extend beyond the scope of those earlier recalls and could indicate a different underlying defect.
Investigation in Early Stage
The preliminary evaluation represents the first phase of the NHTSA’s formal defect investigation process.
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If investigators determine that the issue stems from a safety-related design or manufacturing defect, the inquiry could progress to a formal engineering analysis and potentially result in a larger vehicle recall affecting additional Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles.
