Tesla is under investigation by U.S. regulators over complaints that the steering wheels of some new Model Y vehicles may detach during use.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it has discovered two incidents in which drivers’ wheels separated from the steering column while driving 2023 SUVs. The initial assessment began on March 4 and applies to an estimated 120,089 vehicles, according to documents posted on NHTSA’s website.
The agency said the affected vehicles were delivered to owners without the mounting bolts that secure the steering wheels. NHTSA is evaluating “the scope, frequency, and manufacturing processes associated with this situation.” The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said there are no known injuries or fatalities related to the issue.
Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
NHTSA’s move is the latest in a series of investigations into Tesla, its products and its CEO, Elon Musk. The Austin, Texas-based automaker recalled 362,758 electric vehicles last month after NHTSA said Tesla’s self-driving technology could increase the risk of crashes.
A Tesla owner in New Jersey posted photos on Twitter in January in which he said the steering wheel appeared to be detached in a Model Y he received a few days ago. He said in subsequent tweets that Tesla agreed to replace the vehicles and that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had contacted him about the issue.
Tesla shares were down 3.2% as of 9:50 a.m. in New York.
The Model Y is a key product for Tesla, which recently began producing the car at its two newest factories, one outside Berlin and the other in Austin. The company reported total Model Y and Model 3 deliveries, with more than 1.2 million vehicles delivered last year. The Model Y was the world’s best-selling electric car last year and could become one of the best-selling cars of all types this year, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance.
Steering wheels falling off, while rare, are not unique to Teslas.
In August, Ford recalled 692 F-53 RV knock-down chassis vehicles and F-59 commercial knock-down chassis vehicles because the steering wheel attachment bolts could loosen and separate from the steering column. In 2018, the company also recalled about 1.3 million Ford and Lincoln brand vehicles due to similar problems.
© 2023 Bloomberg
