The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently announced the closure of a preliminary evaluation into 74,918 Tesla vehicles due to front suspension failures. This decision comes after the auto safety agency’s Office of Defects Investigation opened a probe in 2020 following complaints of front suspension fore link failures in 2015-2017 Tesla Model S and 2016-2017 Model X vehicles.
A failed fore link is a critical component of a vehicle’s suspension system, and its failure could potentially lead to additional damage to other parts. Despite the initial concerns raised by consumers and the NHTSA, the agency stated that no instances were found where the failure of the part prevented the ability to control the vehicle during testing or reported instances of failure.
However, a report by Reuters in December revealed that tens of thousands of Tesla owners had experienced premature failures of suspension or steering parts since 2016. The report cited Tesla documents and interviews with customers and former employees, indicating that the automaker had been aware of defective suspension and steering parts but sought to blame drivers for the frequent failures.
According to the NHTSA, there was one minor crash associated with the 426 instances of fore link failures. The majority of these failures occurred at speeds between one to fifteen mph while parking in driveways or parking lots. Despite the closure of the investigation, the agency emphasized that this does not mean there were no safety issues, pointing out that Tesla has had nine recalls in the United States for steering and suspension issues since 2018.
In response to the investigation, Tesla did not immediately comment on the closure. The NHTSA recommended that Tesla expand the terms of a consumer satisfaction bulletin issued in 2017 to replace the component in some vehicles made between January and May 2016. However, the bulletin does not cover 75% of the instances of failures identified in the investigation, prompting the agency to suggest that Tesla extend the coverage to all vehicles equipped with fore links.
Overall, the closure of the NHTSA evaluation into Tesla’s front suspension failures sheds light on the importance of addressing potential safety issues in vehicles. While the investigation may have concluded, it serves as a reminder for automakers to prioritize the safety and well-being of their customers by addressing any known defects promptly and effectively.