The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into around 1.2 million Tesla Model 3 vehicles from the 2018–2020 model years and Model Y vehicles from the 2021–2023 model years. The probe follows 156 owner complaints alleging that the front lower lateral link can detach unexpectedly while driving.
Such a defect can severely impair steering and directional stability, posing a significant safety risk to occupants and other road users. The front lower lateral link is a key suspension component that connects the steering knuckle to the vehicle’s subframe. It absorbs lateral forces during cornering, helps maintain suspension geometry and keeps the wheel correctly aligned.
According to the NHTSA, the failure typically occurs without warning. Although some owners reported unusual noises beforehand, most incidents were not preceded by visual warning messages in the vehicle. In many cases, the failure left the vehicle undriveable and required it to be towed.
The NHTSA said it has not received any reports of crashes, injuries or fatalities related to the issue. However, its Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is examining the complaints to determine the scope of the problem and identify the underlying technical cause.
