Recalls for the American-made Tesla Model S and X are on the way in China due to suspension problems. This massive recall is for more than 48,000 electric vehicles with faulty front and rear suspensions. The China State Administration announced it for Market Regulation on Thursday night.
This major recall is for more than 29,000 U.S.-manufactured Model S and Model X cars made from September 13, 2013, to August 16, 2017, and around 19,000 Model S cars manufactured from September 17, 2013, to October 15, 2018. These vehicles were produced at the auto giant’s Fremont, CA plant.
Meanwhile, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not announced any recall. The Chinese regulatory agency has demanded that Tesla change the back and front suspensions’ rear linkages with a new and updated version at no cost to the recalled vehicles’ owners.
In 2016, Elon Musk, Tesla CEO, received faulty suspensions complaints about the Model S cars in the U.S.
Musk announced on Twitter and in a Tesla blog post that the NHTSA has found no safety problems with the Model S and does not need any information at that time. Musk also stated that these complaints were just made up.
The NHTSA responded to CNBC regarding this recent Tesla recall. The body said that it was aware of the car recall, but it has not received any complaints. It also added that they are working with Tesla in examining the complaints. The NHTSA also mentioned that they would not hesitate to pursue action against Tesla in the name of public safety. Finally, the body recommended that anyone who has problems with his Tesla vehicle should contact the NHTSA right away.
It is the fourth recall of Tesla when it comes to imported U.S. cars in China. Earlier this year, recalls were issued in China because of Takata’s unsafe airbags and steering issues.
In a recent development, Tesla’s legal representative Elizabeth Mykytuik responded to NHTSA, saying that this recent recall may be due to “driver abuse.”
“Driver usage and expectation for damageability are uniquely severe in the China market. If the customer inputs an abuse load (e.g., curb impact, severe pothole strike, etc.), then the parts may be damaged, leading either to immediate failure or delayed failure from the compounding effects of the initial abuse and subsequent load input.”
Elizabeth Mykytuik
Tesla also said that it did not agree with the recall, but it will anyway prevent any problems with the Chinese administrative procedures.
On Friday, Tesla stocks were down at 2%. Model 3 Tesla electric cars are the most popular electric car model released in China in 2020.
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