NHTSA Complaint #11013497 — 2015 TESLA MODEL S

FRONT LEFT CONTROL ARM SUFFERED A FAILURE CAUSING IT TO BREAK LOOSE FROM THE BALL JOINT AND CAUSING THE WHEEL TO PUSH BACK INTO THE BODY OF THE CAR. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CAR TO LIFT UP AND COME TO A DEAD STOP. THIS WAS AT ~5MPH AFTER AFTER BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY OF OUR HOUSE ON A RESIDENTIAL PAVED STREET AND STARTING TO DRIVE FORWARD. THERE WERE NO NOISES OR WARNINGS UNTIL THE FAILURE OF THE CONTROL ARE OCCURRED. THE PHOTO OF THE WHEEL SHOWS IT PUSHED BACK ALL THE WAY TO MAKE FRAME CONTACT. THE OTHER PHOTOS SHOW THE CONTROL ARM COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED FROM ITS MOUNTING POINT. THERE WAS SOME DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL WELL LINER AND LIP OF THE FENDER THANKS TO THE SLOW SPEED THAT IT OCCURRED. THE CAR HAD TO BE DRIVEN BACKWARDS ONTO A FLATBED TRAILER AND THEN DOLLY'S PUT UNDER THE FRONT WHEELS IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR TO ROLL FORWARD INTO THE REPAIR SHOP. IT COULD NOT BE DRIVEN FORWARD AT ALL. THIS FAILURE IS VERY CONCERNING AND HAD IT OCCURRED AT HIGH SPEED COULD HAVE RESULTED IN INJURY.