NHTSA probes 1.2M Tesla Model 3, Model Y over suspension failures

Federal safety regulators have opened an investigation into about 1.2 million Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles after receiving 156 complaints about a front suspension part detaching while driving. The probe covers 2018-2020 Model 3 cars and 2021-2023 Model Y cars, and focuses on the front lower lateral link, a part that helps hold the front wheel in place. When it fails, the vehicle can lose steering control and become undriveable. Most owners reported no warning signs before the failure happened.

This is an early-stage inquiry by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, not a recall. Regulators say they don't know of any crashes or injuries tied to the issue so far. If the investigation finds a real safety defect, it could move to a deeper review and eventually lead to a recall, but that outcome isn't decided yet. Tesla has dealt with similar suspension problems before, including two earlier recalls in 2021 and 2023 covering smaller numbers of Model 3 vehicles, though NHTSA says this new round of complaints goes beyond those earlier fixes.

This story is about a federal investigation into specific Tesla models, not a home energy program, so it doesn't affect rebates, upgrades, or anything else homeowners might be tracking for their houses. Anyone who owns one of the affected Tesla vehicles may want to keep an eye on future recall notices from Tesla or NHTSA, but there's no home-related action tied to this news.