Tesla’s Steering Problems Arise, NHTSA to Investigate on User Complaints Alongside Other Issues

Isaiah Richard, Tech Times 01 August 2023, 08:08 pm

A wave of new reports is now plaguing the Tesla brand, with more electric vehicle owners complaining about its power steering defects, now subject to a probe by the authorities.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is now looking into 2023 Tesla Model 3 and Model Y releases after several user complaints regarding various issues with the EV's steering. However, this is only one of the many complaints that users have with their Tesla, with other problems also raised by the regulatory body.

Tesla Steering Problems Launches NHTSA Investigation

New Tesla iPhone App Update Hints at Apple AirPlay Feature Coming to EVs

(Photo : PETTER BERNTSEN/AFP via Getty Images)
The latest version of the Tesla iOS app has an interesting hidden code that data miners recently discovered, a provision for the Apple AirPlay that would anticipate the feature to arrive.

The NHTSA recently launched a preliminary investigation that will look into Tesla's steering issues for the latest 2023 Model 3 and Model Y electric vehicles. This is after receiving tons of complaints from users who reported the issue, with varying problems in their reports about the power steering of the new car.

Its probe will center on determining if this is really a problem with the 2023 releases of two of Tesla's most affordable vehicles in the lineup.

Users reported that the power steering issues have locking problems that cause them not to steer properly, with some users claiming that it requires heavy effort to control the vehicle while driving.

NHTSA Received Complaints from Other Tesla Issues

According to Ars Technica, this is only one of the many issues that were reported to the NHTSA regarding the Tesla vehicles, with the regulatory body also opening investigations into other issues. This includes the alleged sudden unintended acceleration problems and the steering wheels that detach from their placement.

Tesla Issues and Run-ins with the NHTSA

Over the past months, the issue of Tesla's autonomous driving features, Full-Self Driving (FSD) and Autopilot, has cast a massive shadow on the automaker's brand. The NHTSA has looked into Tesla's self-driving technologies and has various findings in the tech, as in some cases, it is due to user error.

However, it is not entirely isolated from the vehicle's autonomous features.

Earlier this year, Tesla also received multiple complaints about seatbelt failures on vehicles including the Model S and Model X, two of its entry-level vehicles in the lineup. This caught the attention of the NHTSA, and the company has previously issued a recall that aims to fix what is wrong with it.

Now, the NHTSA is continuing its probe regarding the reports of steering problems on the Tesla vehicles, especially as earlier this year, it received multiple complaints about it. Steering remains one of the key factors in driving as without it, users cannot turn their vehicles, and should the NHTSA find that this is a widespread problem, a possible recall may take place.