U.S. auto-safety regulators have opened a preliminary investigation into nearly 1.2 million Tesla vehicles after receiving reports that a front suspension component can detach while driving, causing a sudden loss of steering control.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Office of Defects Investigation opened the probe after receiving 156 consumer complaints alleging that the front lower lateral link can separate from the suspension assembly during normal driving, according to the agency's filing. Once the component fails, affected vehicles reportedly become undrivable and require towing; several owners said they received no dashboard warning before the failure occurred. The investigation covers certain 2018-2020 Tesla Model 3 sedans and 2021-2023 Model Y crossovers.
NHTSA said none of the reported incidents has involved a crash, fire, injury or fatality. The preliminary evaluation is the first stage of the agency's formal defect-investigation process, and could lead to a recall covering the full range of affected vehicles if investigators confirm a safety-related defect — or it could close without further action if the complaints don't hold up under technical review.
Tesla has not issued a public response detailing the scope of the reported failures. The probe adds to a string of regulatory scrutiny the company has faced in recent years, including a separate, larger NHTSA investigation into roughly 2.4 million Tesla vehicles over the safety of its Full Self-Driving features.
Owners who believe their vehicles may be affected can check NHTSA's public complaint database for updates as the investigation proceeds; the agency typically publishes its findings, and any resulting recall notice, once the technical review concludes. Preliminary evaluations of this scale typically take several months to resolve, and NHTSA has not set a public timeline for concluding its review of the suspension complaints.