A Tesla automobile dealership in Austin, Texas, May possibly 31, 2023.
Brandon Bell | Getty Pictures
The Nationwide Freeway Targeted traffic Basic safety Administration has opened a new investigation into Tesla over steering handle problems and decline of ability steering in 2023 Product 3 sedan and Design Y crossover utility autos.
The federal automobile protection regulator claimed in a see posted to the agency’s web-site that it has acquired a dozen issues from drivers who skilled steering complications in their Teslas, like a person who mentioned it had caused a crash. The probe, which the NHTSA termed a “preliminary analysis,” could have an effect on up to an estimated 280,000 automobiles in the U.S.
The Model Y grew to become the world’s very best-offering car or truck in the initially quarter of 2023, surpassing the Toyota Corolla and many others. Tesla’s Model 3 is the company’s entry-amount auto and the most inexpensive electric vehicle it presents.
In 2021, Tesla CEO Elon Musk informed traders that the firm was ready to rewrite application in purchase to change from 1 type of chip to an additional, when required, to cope with semiconductor shortages. About a 12 months afterwards, Tesla voluntarily recalled some of its Design S and Product X vehicles about power steering difficulties caused by a flawed computer software update, eventually repairing the problem with another application update.
Ordinarily, an NHTSA probe will direct to an automaker investigating doable manufacturing or design flaws and conducting a voluntary recall. The company asks motorists to post grievances by phone or on the internet and uses people grievances with other knowledge to identify when investigations are required.
Tesla did not quickly respond to a ask for for comment. Shares in the electric car or truck maker were being buying and selling down by about 1.7% on Tuesday early morning.