Detaching Tesla Model Y steering wheel under investigation in the US

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating two reports of 2023 Tesla Model Y steering wheels detaching from the steering column.

According to documents from NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), both reported vehicles were delivered to owners without a retaining bolt that attaches the wheel to the steering column.

“Both vehicles received an end of line repair requiring removal and re-installation of the steering wheel,” the ODI filing states.

“A fiction fit maintained the connection between the steering wheel and the column splines during operation until separation.

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“Sudden separation occurred when the force exerted on the steering wheel overcame the resistance of the friction fit while the vehicles were in motion. Both known incidents occurred at low vehicle mileage.”

The preliminary investigation covers around 120,000 2023 Model Ys in the US.

The Associated Press reports Prerak Patel was one complainant, who tweeted his ordeal five days after taking delivery of the Model Y electric SUV.

On January 29, the steering wheel came off while he was driving on the outer lane of a highway, but was able to stop near the divider without causing an accident.

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Tesla initially estimated a $310 (US$103.96) repair bill, but Patel – who is also an investor in the company – was eventually able to get a free replacement Model Y a month later.

In an eerily similar case, Nissan recalled 1063 examples of its all-new Ariya electric SUV this week in the US, as steering wheel bolts were loose or missing.

Last year, Toyota and Subaru were forced to stop selling and recall their BZ4x and Solterra electric SUV twins respectively as the hub bolts on the four wheels could loosen and cause them to detach completely while driving.

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The issue was addressed after a four-month sales hiatus overseas – which have also pushed their launch dates in Australia to later this year.

However, 1182 Subaru Solterras were subject to another recall in the US last month, because the third-party company enlisted didn't properly conduct the recall procedure.

The US safety regulator has put Tesla under the spotlight multiple times in the past, including investigations on its camera-only safety assistance system ‘phantom braking’ suddenly, suspension issues and, recently, forced the American company to recall its ‘Full Self-Driving’ beta program in the US as it “may act unsafe”.