The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has escalated its investigation into reports of power steering loss on certain Tesla models from a preliminary evaluation to an engineering analysis. This move signifies a more serious examination of the potential safety issues associated with the electric vehicle manufacturer's power steering system.
The NHTSA first opened an inquiry in June 2020 after receiving complaints from vehicle owners who experienced sudden power steering failures while driving their Teslas. The affected models include the 2015-2017 Model S sedans and the 2016-2017 Model X SUVs. It is estimated that approximately 90,000 vehicles could be impacted by the power steering issue.
