The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that it is investigating the Tesla Model Y because two vehicles had their steering wheels fall off while driving.
In a new report, NHTSA says it has received two reports of 2023 Model Y vehicles with the steering wheel completely detached from the steering column while driving.
"The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has become aware of two reports of 2023 Tesla Model Y vehicles with the steering wheel completely detached from the steering column while driving. Both vehicles were delivered to owners without the retaining bolts (P/N1036655-00-A) that secure the steering wheel to the steering column."
NHTSA has communicated with Tesla and found that both affected vehicles underwent an “off-line repair” that required removal and reinstallation of the steering wheel.
NHTSA wrote in its report.
"Both vehicles received an offline repair that required the removal and reinstallation of the steering wheel. Friction maintains the connection between the steering wheel and the steering column splines and can suddenly separate when the force applied to the steering wheel overcomes the frictional resistance while the vehicle is in motion. Both of these known incidents occurred when the vehicle had low mileage."
The agency is still working with Tesla to determine the extent of the manufacturing issue, which may warrant a safety recall.
Tesla has been subject to several recalls by the NHTSA since last year, but most of them have been resolved through OTA updates, leading Tesla fans to complain that the word “recall” is inappropriate in these cases. However, the issue in question is a manufacturing issue that requires an actual vehicle recall, however, it is unclear if more vehicles have been affected beyond the two incidents received by NHTSA.
