Tesla, the pioneering electric car manufacturer, finds itself under scrutiny once again, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) initiates yet another investigation. This time, the focus centers on potential issues related to steering control in Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y vehicles.
On July 28, the NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) launched a preliminary inquiry in response to a series of twelve complaints. These complaints raise concerns about the loss of steering control and power steering in Model 3 and Model Y vehicles from the 2023 model year.
Among the twelve complaints, five underscore the alarming inability to steer the vehicle, while the remaining seven highlight instances of power steering loss. This loss of power steering has led to an increased effort required to maintain control of the vehicle, posing significant safety risks for drivers.
The NHTSA's investigative plan entails examining a total population of 280,000 vehicles. Notably, one reported incident involved a crash or fire, wherein a driver experienced their Model 3's steering becoming unresponsive, resulting in the vehicle sliding off the road and colliding with a tree.
Another driver's harrowing experience involved their vehicle suddenly losing steering control while exiting a shopping center. The driver recounted maneuvering perilously close to oncoming traffic before eventually managing to bring the vehicle to a halt within the confines of the shopping center.
Various other drivers reported encountering similar issues on multiple occasions, prompting them to seek remedies through Tesla Service. Many have found themselves needing repair work on their steering rack and motor.
The initial phase of the NHTSA's investigation aims to determine whether the identified steering control concerns pose an unreasonable safety risk. Should this risk be substantiated, the investigation may progress to an engineering analysis, which, in turn, could result in a recall of affected vehicles.
This procedural approach mirrors the one employed during the NHTSA's investigation into Tesla vehicles colliding with emergency vehicles, a probe that encompassed 830,000 vehicles in 2022. This investigation was later escalated to an Engineering Analysis in June of the same year.
Furthermore, it's worth noting that an earlier NHTSA probe in the same year had addressed concerns regarding Tesla steering wheel detachments, highlighting the regulatory body's vigilance in ensuring the safety and integrity of vehicles on the road.
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