NHTSA says Tesla needs to do more to fix that squeaky wheel.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is recommending that Tesla expand an existing service bulletin aimed at repairing older Tesla Model S and X vehicles that have suspension failures. The proposal comes from the agency’s Office of Defect Investigation (ODI). I just finished my research The company intervened in the issue after 426 specific defects were discovered in Tesla vehicles.

According to reports Ars TechnicaThis defect, known in the Tesla community as “whompy wheel,” is caused by a failure of the fore link on the right or left side of the front suspension. This often occurs when driving at low speeds. Affected models include Model S (2015-2017) and Model X (2016-2017) vehicles.

A formal ODI investigation began in 2020, and the agency narrowed the problem down to two part numbers: a front link that could break and cause the tire to rub against the Tesla’s wheel well, though ODI says the issue does not result in loss of vehicle control.