Government launches investigation into suspension issue of 115,000 Tesla vehicles

Not for the first time You’re here (NASDAQ: TSLA) faces an investigation into the manufacture of its cars. The federal government’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Friday that it would investigate about 115,000 cars from the electric vehicle maker for a safety issue with their front suspensions.

The investigation initially takes the form of a preliminary assessment of vehicles, in particular the company’s 2015 to 2017 Model S sedans and its 2016 to 2017 Model X SUVs. NHTSA received 43 consumer complaints which detailed the failure of the vehicles. front left or right suspension links.

Image source: Tesla Motors.

In February 2017, Tesla issued a service bulletin in which it stated that such failures could occur because “certain Model S and Model X vehicles may have been manufactured with front suspension front linkages which may not meet specifications. resistance from Tesla.

The company added that “if the linkage fails, the driver can still maintain control of the vehicle, but the tire can come into contact with the wheel arch liner.” The company suggested replacing the two front suspension arms.

Tesla has yet to comment on the NHTSA announcement.

NHTSA has surveyed various aspects of Tesla vehicles since almost the start of the company’s operations. Earlier this year, for example, the regulator announced that it was reviewing fault reports for multimedia control units (i.e., dashboard touch screens) in certain Model S and Model X vehicles.

NHTSA is obligated to investigate vehicle-related matters when it receives a significant number of complaints, so this is nothing out of the ordinary for any automaker, let alone Tesla. Investors are therefore unlikely to panic in the face of this latest investigation, although they should certainly monitor it as it unfolds.