Topline
Tesla is under investigation by U.S. auto safety regulators over complaints that steering wheels have fallen off new Model Y vehicles during driving, according to a filing Wednesday, the latest probe into Tesla vehicles following an investigation of the automaker’s self-driving software that resulted in a mass recall last month.
The U.S. is investigating Tesla’s 2023 Model Y over complaints the steering wheel falls off.
Key Facts
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration received complaints that two Model Y vehicles were missing a bolt that holds the wheel to the steering column, resulting in the wheel separating as the SUVs were driven, according to a filing.
The agency noted the probe will cover just over 120,000 vehicles from the 2023 model year.
One of the complaints said the steering wheel had come off just five days after the vehicle was purchased, adding there were no injuries caused by the incident.
The agency is also investigating complaints that some Tesla models can break suddenly for no reason, according to a letter sent to Tesla indicating the agency had received 758 complaints for “unexpected brake activation.”
Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Forbes.
Big Number
362,758. That’s how many Tesla vehicles were recalled in February because of concerns the company’s Full Self-Driving feature could cause crashes.
Surprising Fact
This is not the first time the agency has received complaints of detached steering wheels this year. The NHTSA recalled over 1,000 2023 Nissan Ariya steering wheels in February after complaints that a loose bolt caused the wheel to detach from the steering column.
Key Background
Tesla has been scrutinized by federal regulators, the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission numerous times in recent years, including investigations into the company’s self-driving safety claims. The NHTSA previously issued a recall of Tesla vehicles and said the Full Self-Driving system could cause problems, like running a stop sign or driving through an intersection without using caution at a yellow light. Agency officials have investigated 35 Tesla crashes connected to the software, noting that 19 people have died in those crashes, including two motorcyclists, according to the Associated Press. CEO Elon Musk, who previously promoted the self-driving features as safe, told investors that Tesla vehicles are “not quite ready to have no one behind the wheel.”
Further Reading
Tesla Recalls 4 Million Since January 2022—Here’s How That Compares To Other Automakers (Forbes)
Tesla Recalls Over 360,000 Cars Due To Self-Driving Crash Risk (Forbes)
Tesla Under Federal Criminal Investigation Over Self-Driving Car Claims, Report Says (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2023/03/08/tesla-steering-wheels-that-allegedly-fall-off-while-driving-under-probe/