NHTSA Investigating Tesla

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into Tesla after regulators received two complaints that steering wheels detached in 2023 Model Y vehicles while people were driving. 

Both incidents in question happened at low vehicle mileage.

“Both vehicles were delivered to the owners missing the retaining bolt which attaches the steering wheel to the steering column,” the NHTSA reported.

An agency filing notes its preliminary investigation will cover over 120,000 vehicles. This review will assess the “scope, frequency, and manufacturing processes associated with this condition,” NHTSA said.

In one NHTSA complaint, the driver reported he bought his Model Y on Jan. 24, and the steering wheel fell off while he was driving it on Jan. 29. He said he was “lucky” there was no car behind him and that he could pull on to the divider, according to a tweet he included in the complaint.

The driver later tweeted that he had “lost trust” in Tesla and did not feel safe driving his car home. The Tesla dealer called and apologized and got him a replacement Model Y. 

Should the investigation into Tesla reveal problems, the NHTSA could demand a vehicle recall.