Tesla Model S becomes target of safety review over customer complaints

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is reviewing customer complaints over faulty suspension on the Tesla Model S.

Citing a months-long thread on the Tesla Motors Club forum, the Daily Kanban reports that the Model S was fitted with defective suspension control arms, which are susceptible to breakage. If they do break, it could cause the driver to lose control of the car.

The agency initiated the review following a report that one Model S owner was asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement before Tesla would pay half of the $3,100 bill to fix the car's faulty control arms. 

Unsurprisingly, an NHTSA called the agreement "troublesome," according to Reuters.

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Edward Noodlemaker @Tweetermeyer

.@NHTSAgov spokesman Bryan Thomas has issued the following release in response to @DailyKanban's recent Tesla report

12:04 AM - 10 Jun 2016

 
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The NHTSA informed Tesla that "any language implying that consumers should not contact the agency regarding safety concerns is unacceptable." 

Depending on what the agency finds, the next step could be a formal investigation. 

An agency official told Reuters that Tesla "told NHTSA that it was not their intention to dissuade consumers from contacting the agency."

Model S owners are encouraged to alert the NHTSA if they have had any issues with their car’s suspension.

News of the safety review and potential cover-up comes at an inopportune time for Tesla. Earlier Thursday morning, it announced two newer, less expensive variants of the Model S, the 60 and 60D.