Tesla Faces US Auto Safety Probe Over Risk of Suspension Failure

U.S. auto safety regulators opened an investigation into Tesla Inc.’s most-popular models after a series of complaints by drivers over the sudden failure of suspension in their vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received 156 reports of apparent suspension issues in Teslas, which “potentially causes a loss of vehicle directional control,” according to documents posted to the agency’s website Friday. The so-called preliminary evaluation involves an estimated 1.2 million vehicles, including Model 3 sedans from the 2018 to 2020 model years and Model Y SUVs from 2021 to 2023.

Drivers in the cited incidents said there was typically no advance warning before the suspension failure, though some reported hearing unusual noises. None of the cases involved injuries or deaths, NHTSA said.

Tesla didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Top photo: A Tesla Model 3 Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg.