Tesla has recalled 437 Model Y SUVs due to a loose bolt that could impact suspension and steering.
According to a safety recall report to NHTSA:
The bolts connecting the front upper control arm and steering knuckle may not have been torqued to specification. If not properly secured, the upper control arm can unseat from the steering knuckle, resulting in excessive negative or positive camber and adverse impact to steering.
The excessive wheel camber can affect the driver’s ability to control the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash, leading to the recall.
The report also provided some background on how the issue was identified:
On Sunday, November 1, 2020, the Field Quality team learned of two vehicle repairs (one on Sept. 21, 2020, and one on Oct. 16, 2020) where the upper control arm had separated from the steering knuckle. The repairs were reviewed by engineering and production teams and an investigation into root cause and scope was initiated, during which a third vehicle repair on October 18, 2020, was identified. None of the incidents resulted in injury or a crash. On Tuesday, November 10, 2020, this matter was reviewed with Tesla executives and Tesla determined that a safety-related defect exists.
Tesla says changes were made on the production line to immediately correct the issue. Model Y owners that are part of the recall can have the correcting adjustment made at a service center.