The US National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is earnestly recommending that Tesla broaden an existing service bulletin, which is aimed at rectifying suspension failures afflicting older Tesla Model S and X vehicles. This suggestion stems from the agency’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), which has just wrapped up its exploration into the matter, having discovered 426 instances of this specific defect on Tesla vehicles.

As reported by Ars Technica, within the extensive Tesla community, this defect is familiarly known as the “whompy wheel”. It is triggered by the failure of the fore links on either the right or left sides of the front suspension, frequently occurring when traveling at low speeds. The models impacted encompass Model S (2015–2017) and Model X (2016–2017) vehicles.

The official ODI investigation was initiated in 2020. During its course, the agency managed to pinpoint the issue to two faulty part numbers. In the event that the fore link fractures, the tire may end up rubbing against the wheel well of the Tesla. However, ODI asserts that this problem has not led to any loss of vehicle control.

NHTSA began scrutinizing Model S suspension issues as early as 2016 after uncovering that Tesla made customers sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to refrain from discussing the repair of their car’s suspension under “Goodwill”. Eventually, Tesla launched a service bulletin in 2017 to commence addressing the issue on some cars manufactured within approximately a four-month period, yet not always without laying the blame on customers for the damage – a tendency that persists to this day.