09:28 AM EDT, 07/31/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Tesla (TSLA) is facing a preliminary investigation by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration after the regulator received 156 complaints alleging a suspension failure in 2018-2020 Model 3 and 2021-2023 Model Y vehicles.

The NHTSA opened the investigation on Wednesday and said the suspension failure involves the detachment of the front lower lateral link, which can potentially lead to loss of vehicle directional control.

In most cases, there was no advanced warning or indication that a suspension failure would occur, the regulator said. After the failure occurs, the vehicles may not be drivable, requiring a tow, according to the agency.

The NHTSA said that its Office of Defects Investigation has opened the preliminary inquiry covering almost 1.2 million vehicles to determine the underlying cause, scope and severity of the problem.

Tesla did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' request for comment.