Tesla Faces Investigation After Model Y Steering Wheels Fall Off While Driving
Introduction
Tesla is under scrutiny following reports that the steering wheels of certain 2023 Model Y steering vehicles detached while driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated a preliminary investigation into approximately 120,000 vehicles after receiving two complaints of steering wheel detachment due to missing retaining bolts.InvestopediaInsideEVs+8Reuters+8Investopedia+8
Incident Details
In both reported cases, the affected Model Y vehicles were delivered to customers missing a crucial retaining bolt that secures the steering wheel to the steering column. Without this bolt, the steering wheel remained attached solely through friction, leading to complete detachment during operation. One incident occurred just five days after delivery, highlighting the severity of the issue. inkl+6Reuters+6MotorTrend+6Carscoops+1InsideEVs+1Investopedia+1inkl+1
NHTSA’s Investigation
NHTSA’s preliminary evaluation aims to assess the scope, frequency, and manufacturing processes related to this condition. The agency’s findings will determine whether a recall is necessary to address potential safety concerns. Tesla has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter. MotorTrend+5ProgramBusiness+5Carscoops+5Reuters+4Reuters+4Reuters+4Reuters+1InsideEVs+1
Historical Context
This isn’t the first time Tesla has faced issues with steering components. In 2020, a Model 3 owner’s steering wheel detached due to a missing bolt, leading to a similar investigation. Additionally, between 2016 and 2022, Tesla documented numerous failures related to suspension and steering parts, some of which resulted in accidents. inkl+1InsideEVs+1Reuters+3Reuters+3Reuters+3
Tesla is under investigation by US regulators over complaints the steering wheel can fall off certain new Model Y vehicles while they’re in use.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it’s aware of two incidents in which the wheel detached from the steering column while drivers were operating the 2023 model year SUVs. The preliminary evaluation, opened March 4, applies to an estimated 120,089 vehicles, according to a filing posted on NHTSA’s website.
The affected vehicles were delivered to owners without the retaining bolt that holds the steering wheel in place, the agency said. NHTSA is assessing “the scope, frequency and manufacturing processes associated with this condition.” There are no known injuries or deaths related to the issue, NHTSA said.
Tesla didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
The move by NHTSA is the latest in a series of investigations targeting Tesla, its products and its chief executive officer, Elon Musk. The Austin, Texas-based automaker last month recalled 362,758 electric vehicles after NHTSA said Tesla’s automated-driving technology could increase the risk of a crash.
A Tesla owner in New Jersey posted photos on Twitter in January that appeared to show a detached steering wheel in a Model Y he said he received several days earlier. He said in subsequent tweets that Tesla agreed to replace the vehicle and that NHTSA had contacted him about the issue.
Tesla shares fell 3.2 percent at 9:50 am in New York.
The Model Y is a key product for Tesla, which recently started manufacturing the vehicle at its two newest plants — one outside Berlin and the other in Austin. The company reports a combined figure for Model Y and Model 3 deliveries and handed over more than 1.2 million of the vehicles last year. The Model Y was the best-selling EV globally last year and could be one of the top vehicles of any type this year, according to BloombergNEF.
Steering wheel detachments, while rare, are not unique to Tesla.
In August, Ford Motor recalled 692 F-53 Motorhome Stripped Chassis and F-59 Commercial Stripped Chassis vehicles because the steering wheel attachment bolt could loosen and separate from the steering column. It also recalled about 1.3 million Ford and Lincoln brand vehicles in 2018 over a similar problem.
Conclusion
The detachment of steering wheels poses significant safety risks, and Tesla’s response to this investigation will be closely monitored. Consumers are advised to stay informed about any updates from NHTSA and Tesla regarding this issue.MotorTrend+2ABC7 Los Angeles+2Reuters+2ProgramBusiness+3Investopedia+3Kia EV Forums+3
