Tesla Blamed Drivers for Defects It Knew About for Years
A new investigation has revealed that Tesla has been blaming drivers for part failures in its cars, even though internal documents show the company knew about the defects for years. This shocking report from Reuters, based on thousands of internal company records, shows that suspension and steering parts were failing prematurely in tens of thousands of cars. Instead of recalling the parts, Tesla often told customers and regulators that the problems were a result of “driver abuse”.
A Brand-New Car’s Shocking Failure
Just one day after he bought a new 2023 Tesla Model Y, Shreyansh Jain’s front suspension suddenly collapsed while he was driving with his family. The damage required over $14,000 in repairs, which Tesla refused to cover. Jain’s experience is not unique. The company’s own documents, dating back to 2016, show that engineers were tracking chronic “flaws” and “failures” of parts like suspension control arms, half shafts, and steering racks.
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Tesla’s Two-Faced Approach
The records show that Tesla had two different strategies. In China, the company recalled a faulty suspension part after pressure from regulators. However, in the U.S. and Europe, it refused to do so, instead blaming drivers for the same failures. This “deny-and-delay” strategy was in place at a time when the high costs of warranty repairs were threatening the company’s profitability.
Here is a summary of the financial impact and customer complaints:
More Than Just Suspension Problems
The issues weren’t limited to just suspension parts. The investigation also revealed that steering racks and drive axles (half shafts) were failing on new vehicles. One driver said his Model Y suddenly lost power steering, almost causing him to go into a ditch. A former service manager in Norway even said he was forced out of his job for not blaming customers for the faulty control arms. These stories, backed by company records, show a troubling pattern of ignoring safety concerns across Elon Musk’s companies.
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