NHTSA Closes Investigation into Tesla Suspension Failures: Key Findings and Future Recommendations

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Wednesday that it has concluded its preliminary evaluation of front suspension failures in nearly 75,000 Tesla vehicles. The investigation, which began in 2020, focused on potential defects in the front suspension fore links of 2015-2017 Tesla Model S and 2016-2017 Tesla Model X vehicles. The closure of the investigation marks a significant development in a case that has raised concerns among Tesla owners and the automotive industry alike.

The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation initiated the probe following numerous complaints from Tesla owners. These complaints alleged that the fore links, a critical part of the suspension system, were failing prematurely, leading to concerns about potential safety risks. A failed fore link can cause significant damage to other vehicle components, raising the stakes for both drivers and the automaker.

Despite these concerns, the NHTSA ultimately decided to close the investigation. The agency’s decision was based on the absence of evidence suggesting that fore link failures resulted in a loss of vehicle control. According to the NHTSA’s findings, none of the reported failures compromised the ability to steer the vehicle safely, even under testing conditions. This conclusion played a pivotal role in the agency’s decision to close the case.

The closure of the investigation, however, does not imply that all safety concerns have been resolved. In fact, the NHTSA was clear in its notice that the evaluation’s conclusion should not be interpreted as a complete dismissal of potential risks. The agency’s records indicate that Tesla has conducted nine recalls related to steering and suspension issues in the United States since 2018, underscoring the ongoing challenges the company faces in this area.

The issue of premature suspension failures has been a point of contention for years. In December, Reuters reported that tens of thousands of Tesla owners had experienced early failures of suspension or steering components since 2016. The report, which cited Tesla documents and interviews with customers and former employees, revealed that the company had long been aware of these issues. Despite this knowledge, Tesla reportedly sought to attribute the failures to driver behavior rather than acknowledging any defects in the parts.

The NHTSA’s investigation identified 426 instances of fore link failures, one of which was linked to a minor crash with no injuries. Most of these failures occurred at low speeds, typically between one and fifteen miles per hour, often while vehicles were being parked in driveways or parking lots. Although these incidents did not result in significant accidents, they highlight the importance of addressing the underlying issue.

Tesla’s response to the problem has been mixed. In 2017, the company issued a consumer satisfaction bulletin to replace the defective component in some vehicles produced between January and May 2016. However, the NHTSA pointed out that this bulletin only covered a fraction of the identified failures, leaving 75% of the problematic vehicles without a solution.

Given these findings, the NHTSA has recommended that Tesla expand the terms of its 2017 bulletin to include all vehicles equipped with the potentially faulty fore links. This recommendation reflects the agency’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that vehicle manufacturers take comprehensive action to address safety concerns.

While Tesla did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the closure of the investigation, the NHTSA’s decision serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between automotive innovation and safety. As Tesla continues to lead the electric vehicle market, the company will need to navigate these challenges carefully to maintain consumer trust and uphold its reputation for quality and safety.