The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated a preliminary evaluation concerning roughly 1.2 million Tesla electric vehicles. The scope of the inquiry covers both the Model 3 and Model Y, specifically targeting older production years that may suffer from underlying hardware vulnerabilities. The primary concern fueling this investigation involves reported suspension defects that could potentially compromise a driver's ability to maintain steering control, presenting a significant safety risk on public roadways.

According to electrive, the probe is currently in its early stages as authorities seek to determine the severity and prevalence of these mechanical issues. While such investigations do not immediately result in mandatory recalls, they serve as a critical step for federal regulators to identify patterns of failure across large vehicle fleets. Tesla owners with impacted models are encouraged to monitor official communications from both the automaker and the NHTSA as data collection continues and the agency evaluates whether the identified defects warrant a broader remedial program.