The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recently concluded a four-year investigation into suspension failures affecting Tesla Model S and Model X vehicles, leading to safety recommendations for the automaker. The issue, commonly referred to as the “whompy wheel” problem within the Tesla enthusiast community, has raised concerns due to the high number of incidents involving front suspension failures in these electric vehicles.
Tesla Suspension Failures: An Overview
The investigation was initiated by NHTSA in response to reports of left or right front suspension fore link failures in model year 2015–2017 Model S and 2016–2017 Model X vehicles. While most of these failures occurred at low speeds during parking maneuvers, a few incidents were reported at highway speeds, prompting the need for further scrutiny.
Tesla had previously issued a service bulletin in 2017 to address the faulty components in some vehicles, focusing on replacing the front suspension fore links if damaged or if the vehicle required an alignment. However, NHTSA found that a significant number of vehicles still contained the defective parts, warranting an expansion of the service bulletin to cover a wider range of potentially affected vehicles.
NHTSA Findings and Recommendations
During the course of its investigation, NHTSA identified a total of 426 reports of suspension failures in Model S and Model X vehicles attributed to faulty fore links. While only one of these incidents resulted in a minor crash, the agency noted that the problem was becoming more prevalent, with 41 incidents occurring in the last 18 months alone, including cases of failures while driving and at highway speeds.
Despite the fact that Tesla had addressed the issue through a service bulletin in 2017, NHTSA determined that the subpopulation of vehicles covered by the bulletin accounted for only a quarter of the total failures identified during the probe. As a result, the agency recommended that Tesla expand the scope of the service bulletin to include any vehicle equipped with the two specific faulty fore link part numbers associated with the suspension failures.
Tesla’s Response and Future Actions
In response to NHTSA’s findings and recommendations, Tesla has yet to make a public statement regarding any additional measures it plans to take to address the suspension failures in its vehicles. The company had previously attributed the issue to “driver abuse,” a claim that was refuted by regulators and safety experts.
Given the potential safety implications of front suspension failures in Tesla vehicles, it is crucial for the automaker to proactively address the problem and ensure the safety of its customers. As the demand for electric vehicles continues to rise, maintaining a strong reputation for safety and reliability is paramount for Tesla’s success in the market.
In conclusion, the NHTSA investigation into Tesla suspension failures has shed light on a critical safety issue affecting Model S and Model X vehicles. By expanding its service bulletin to cover all vehicles with the identified faulty fore link part numbers, Tesla can take a proactive step towards addressing the problem and ensuring the safety of its customers. It is essential for automakers to prioritize safety and transparency in addressing potential defects to maintain consumer trust and uphold industry standards.
