Two senators have written to Elon Musk, Tesla’s top executive, calling on him to “quickly” recall any steering and suspension parts that pose a safety risk.
The letter cited a “disturbing” Reuters investigation published on December 20 that revealed how Tesla blamed drivers for the failure of components long known to be defective.
“We are writing with extreme concern following recent reports regarding Tesla’s knowledge of safety defects in its vehicles and concealment of the cause of these defects from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,” stated the letter, signed by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.).
The senators called on Musk to correct “false and misleading representations” made to security agencies.
A Reuters report found that Tesla told NHTSA and customers that frequent failures of defective parts in its electric vehicles were caused by driver “abuse,” such as hitting the road. In 2020, Tesla provided that explanation in a letter to the safety agency explaining why it would not recall the suspension part called the rear link in the United States, despite having just called for it in China.
The letter to Elon Musk cited a “disturbing Reuters investigation” that revealed how Tesla blamed drivers for the failure of components long known to be defective. AFP via Getty Images
Tesla documents reviewed by Reuters show the automaker’s engineers have for years tracked frequent failures of rear links and other suspension, steering and axle parts, often on relatively new cars.
The company ordered its service managers to tell customers that the parts were not defective as it struggled to contain soaring warranty costs, according to records reviewed by Reuters.
“We are disturbed that you would blame your client for this failure,” the letter from Blumenthal and Markey said. “It is unacceptable that Tesla would not only attempt to shift responsibility for the substandard quality of its vehicles onto the people who buy them, but also make the same flawed argument to NHTSA.”
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (above) and Edward J. Markey called on Musk to correct the “false and misleading representations” made to NHTSA. Getty Images “It is unacceptable that Tesla would not only attempt to shift responsibility for the substandard quality of its vehicles to the people who buy them, but also make the same argument to NHTSA,” wrote Markey (above) and Blumenthal. AP
Musk and Tesla did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the senator’s letter. Neither responded to detailed questions from Reuters for a December 20 inquiry.
The Swedish Transport Agency said on Friday it was investigating suspension failures in Tesla cars.
The investigation is similar to one underway in neighboring Norway, where the Norwegian Road Administration said last week it was looking into consumer complaints about broken lower rear control arms on its Model S and X vehicles.
The Swedish Transport Agency says it is investigating suspension failures in Tesla cars. Getty Images
Markey and Blumenthal have previously raised concerns about Tesla’s marketing practices and the safety of its self-driving technology.
In April, senators wrote to Musk to question him about another Reuters investigation, which reported that a group of Tesla employees had circulated, via an internal messaging system, private and sometimes highly invasive recordings from customers’ car cameras.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
