By TOM KRISHER (AP Auto Writer)
DETROIT (AP) — U.S. auto security regulators have opened an investigation into Tesla’s Model Y SUV after getting two complaints that the steering wheels can come off whereas being pushed.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the probe covers an estimated 120,000 autos from the 2023 mannequin 12 months.
The company says in each circumstances the Model Ys have been delivered to prospects with a lacking bolt that holds the wheel to the steering column. A friction match held the steering wheels on, however they separated when pressure was exerted whereas the SUVs have been being pushed.
The company says in paperwork posted on its web site Wednesday that each incidents occurred whereas the SUVs had low mileage on them.
Messages have been left searching for remark from Tesla, which has disbanded its media relations division.
In one grievance filed with NHTSA, an proprietor mentioned he was driving along with his household on Route 1 in Woodbridge, New Jersey, when the steering wheel all of a sudden got here off on Jan. 29, 5 days after the car was bought. The proprietor wrote that there have been no automobiles behind him, and he was in a position to pull towards the highway divider. There have been no accidents.
The grievance has a hyperlink to a Twitter posting from the proprietor that included a video of the indifferent steering wheel and footage of the white Tesla being towed.
At first a Tesla service heart gave the proprietor a value estimate of $103.96 to restore the issue. The service heart apologized in what look like textual content messages posted on Twitter.
When the proprietor wrote that he had misplaced religion in Tesla and requested for a refund, the service heart eliminated the cost and wrote that Tesla doesn’t have a return coverage, however he might attain out to the gross sales and supply staff.
The man was later given the choice of conserving the automotive or getting it changed with a brand new one, in accordance with his submit on Twitter. He posted that Tesla did exchange his automotive.
The investigation provides to an extended string of issues that Tesla is having with the U.S. highway security company. In the previous three years it has opened investigations of Tesla’s “Autopilot” driver-assist system crashing into parked emergency autos, and issues with suspensions. At least 14 Teslas have crashed into emergency autos whereas utilizing the Autopilot system.
The company is also investigating complaints that Teslas can brake all of a sudden for no purpose.
In February, NHTSA pressured Tesla into recalling practically 363,000 autos with “Full Self-Driving” software program as a result of the system can break site visitors legal guidelines. The system, which can not drive itself, is being examined on public roads by as many as 400,000 Tesla house owners. But NHTSA mentioned in paperwork that it will probably make unsafe actions reminiscent of touring straight by way of an intersection whereas in a turn-only lane, going by way of a yellow site visitors mild with out correct warning or failing to answer adjustments in posted pace limits.
The U.S. Justice Department additionally has requested Tesla for paperwork from Tesla about “Full Self-Driving” and Autopilot.
NHTSA has despatched investigators to 35 Tesla crashes by which automated techniques are suspected of getting used. Nineteen individuals have died in these crashes, together with two motorcyclists.
Since January of 2022, Tesla has issued 20 remembers, together with a number of that have been required by NHTSA. The remembers embrace one from January of final 12 months for “Full Self-Driving” autos being programmed to run cease indicators at gradual speeds.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”