EVwire brief: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has closed its investigation into 120,089 2023 Tesla Model Y vehicles over steering wheel detachment reports. No action will be required from Tesla.
The probe stemmed from two cases where vehicles were delivered with a missing retaining bolt. Regulators found no broader pattern and determined that the reported issues were isolated.
The NHTSA concluded that the issue was isolated
Context:
The investigation began in early 2023 after reports that the steering wheel of Model Y vehicles could detach from the column due to a missing bolt. Tesla confirmed that both Model Y units were indeed delivered without a retaining bolt and that the vehicles were repaired under warranty.
The NHTSA said the affected vehicles were built in the first week of January 2023 at Gigafactory Texas and the Fremont Factory. Both had undergone end-of-line repairs requiring the steering wheel to be removed and reinstalled.
Both failures related to the issue occurred within the first 400 miles of use, which the agency said indicated that any additional affected vehicles would likely have already experienced the issue.
The affected vehicles were produced at Giga Texas and the Fremont Factory
Regulatory outcome
After reviewing the data, NHTSA found no additional cases beyond the initial two and closed the probe without further action.
The agency noted that the decision does not rule out a safety defect and said the case could be reopened if new evidence emerges.
Source: Reuters
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