The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a preliminary investigation into 280,000 new Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, following reports of a loss of steering control and power steering issues. The probe was initiated after the NHTSA received 12 complaints from owners, detailing instances such as the steering feeling stuck, or vehicles suddenly losing the ability to steer. Incidents include a Model 3 crashing into a tree and a Model Y coming dangerously close to the opposite side of traffic.
This investigation represents the first step in a formal process to assess whether the reported steering issues constitute an unreasonable safety risk. If the NHTSA finds substantial evidence of a defect, the probe could escalate to an engineering analysis, which may then lead to a demand for a recall. The complaints include details such as steering wheels jerking hard to the right, along with warning messages such as “Steering Assist Reduced” and error codes displayed on the vehicles' screens.
Some of the complaints highlighted the delayed response from Tesla due to a backlog of parts, as well as the need to replace the entire steering rack. For instance, a driver in Honolulu reported the steering wheel locking up randomly six times in a week before getting the car to the Tesla service department, where it remained for three weeks awaiting a new steering rack/motor. A Tesla Model Y owner also mentioned that their service visit was moved from May 2 to May 25, and Tesla confirmed that the steering rack might need to be replaced.
Tesla has not immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the investigation. The outcome of this probe could have significant implications for the electric vehicle manufacturer, particularly if a recall is deemed necessary. The situation highlights the challenges that automakers face in ensuring the safety and reliability of increasingly complex vehicular technologies, and it puts additional scrutiny on Tesla's quality control processes.
This article was originally published on Quiver Quantitative