WASHINGTON, March 8 (Reuters) – The Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) stated Wednesday it’s opening a preliminary investigation into 120,000 2023 Tesla Mannequin Y autos after two stories of steering wheels falling off whereas driving.
The U.S. auto security regulator stated the steering wheels in each autos, which had a low mileage, utterly indifferent. The autos have been delivered to house owners lacking the retaining bolt that attaches the steering wheel to the steering column.
The company is opening a preliminary investigation to evaluate the “scope, frequency, and manufacturing processes related to this situation.”
The investigation is a primary step earlier than NHTSA may demand a recall.
The company stated it obtained a grievance from a mother or father who had purchased a brand new Mannequin Y 5 days earlier and was on Route 1 South in Woodbridge, New Jersey on Jan. 29 “and all of the sudden steering wheel” fell off. “Was fortunate there was no automotive behind and capable of pull on divider.”
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NHTSA posted a hyperlink to a tweet as a part of the grievance submitting. The tweet has obtained greater than 2.4 million views on Twitter.
Tesla didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
NHTSA stated “each autos obtained an finish of line restore requiring removing and re-installation of the steering wheel.”
The company stated a “friction match maintained the connection between the steering wheel and the column splines throughout operation till separation. Sudden separation occurred when the power exerted on the steering wheel overcame the resistance of the friction match whereas the autos have been in movement.”
Reporting by David Shepardson, Modifying by Louise Heavens, Kirsten Donovan
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