Tesla has come under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) after complaints were received by the company about steering issues with 280,000 Model S and Model X cars.
In a statement released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, they are investigating a potential loss of steering control in certain Tesla Model S and Model X vehicles after receiving multiple reports of the vehicles spontaneously losing control and veering off the road. It is unclear at this stage how the technical issue arose, although the company claims that it is due to a power steering problem and the electric connections that link the motors to the steering wheel.
The NHTSA has asked Tesla to provide details on the number of reports of loss of steering control, the vehicles’ service history and whether owners were warned about the potential issue. The administration is also working with Tesla to assess the issue, and if a recall is necessary, they will issue a recall to correct the problem.
Tesla has responded to the investigation by saying that the issue is not safety-related and that it only impacts a very small proportion of vehicles. They have also said that they have been aware of the issue and that they have already implemented a fix which has been successful in the majority of cases.
At this stage, it is unclear when a recall may be issued, but Tesla has reassured customers that the issue is minor and relatively easy to fix. They have said that they are working closely with the NHTSA to ensure the safety of its customers and to inform owners of any further developments.
For now, Tesla owners should be aware of the potential problem and should take extra precautions when driving their car. If they experience any loss of steering control, they should contact their nearest Tesla service center or contact the NHTSA for more information.
