Tesla will recall more than 9,500 Model X and Model Y electric vehicles due to defects in the roof and suspension
American automaker Tesla will recall more than 9,500 Model X and Model Y electric vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has filed a recall request after detecting potentially dangerous factory defects in the roof and suspension of the above models.
Most of all, Model X electric vehicles (9136 units) produced between September 17, 2015, and July 31, 2016, will be recalled. According to NHTSA experts, these vehicles have problems with the roof sheathing. In the message of the department, it is noted that the cosmetic sheathing could have been glued without a pre-applied primer coating. This can cause one or both trim elements to fall off while driving.
“Separating the trim from the vehicle while driving can be dangerous for drivers of vehicles following Tesla,” the experts explained.
The automaker will also recall 401 2020 Model Y electric vehicles. The problem was found in the bolts connecting the front upper suspension arm and the steering knuckle – chances are that the bolts of these elements were not tightened properly. This can cause the upper arm to completely separate from the steering knuckle.
“A disconnected upper knuckle arm can cause the wheels to tilt inward or outward, which will reduce vehicle handling and increase the risk of an accident,” the NHTSA report says.
The automaker said it was unaware of any accidents that could be associated with the above defects, but confirmed that some customers have already approached it about repairing the suspension of a Model Y electric vehicle.
Last October, Tesla had to recall nearly 50,000 vehicles in China due to suspension problems. Then the reason for the recall was the destruction of the front and rear suspension arms. However, the company never pleaded guilty, stating that the defect was caused by careless drivers. In mid-November, Consumer Reports experts released an annual report, based on real feedback from car owners, in which they indicated that they did not recommend buying Tesla Model S electric vehicles. Experts noted that the electric sedan has problems in the suspension, on-board computer, and touch control. The report also reported some problems in the build quality and paintwork of the Tesla Model Y electric vehicle. As a result, three out of four Tesla vehicles, including Model S, Model X, and Model Y, were given low-quality ratings by reviewers.
