Tesla recalls 422 Model 3 electric cars due to faulty suspension fasteners

NHTSA reported that Tesla issued a voluntary recall affecting 422 Model 3 vehicles. According to reports, the issue was originally caused by customers complaining about detached horizontal links or abnormal noise from horizontal links.

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The NHTSA document also states that the front suspension transverse link of the Tesla Model 3 is attached to the subframe using two fasteners. “Manufacturing records and customer complaints indicate that there may be a correlation between certain manufacturing record characteristics and fastener loosening over time. Loose fasteners may have caused the transverse link to separate from the subframe,” the document further reads. The NHTSA document also states that if the fasteners securing the transverse link to the subframe are loose, abnormal noises can occur and customers can detect these noises from the front suspension.

According to reports, Tesla conducted an internal investigation of its production records, which showed that all torque and angle values ​​were within production control, but found that there was a relationship between customer complaints and vehicles and specific torque and angle records. Tesla also identified 25 warranty claims and two field reports related or potentially related to the issue. That prompted the automaker to issue a voluntary recall. However, the electric automaker claims it is not aware of any crashes, injuries or deaths related to the issue. The automaker will inspect and repair affected vehicles at no cost, the NHTSA document said.

Interestingly, Tesla EVs were recalled 19 times in 2022, affecting more than 3.7 million EVs, but in 12 of those, the affected cars and issues were fixed with over-the-air software updates.

First published date: April 10, 2023 at 16:32 PM CST