NHTSA Complaint #11338684 — 2015 TESLA MODEL S

PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAVE USED THE VIN OF A JUNKYARD TESLA TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT SINCE THE VIN OF THE AFFECTED CAR IS UNAVAILABLE. HERE IS A FORUM POST IN WHICH AN OWNER PROVIDES 100% PROOF OF HIS STEERING KNUCKLE SNAPPING IN HALF AND NEARLY KILLING HIM. HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/FRONT-DRIVERS-STEERING-KNUCKLE-FRACTURED-WHILE-DRIVING-AT-55MPH-VIDEO.199103/ SNIP** DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY, AND A HUGE BANG VIOLENTLY SHOOK THE CAR, AS IF I RAN OVER A HUGE POTHOLE, KNOCKING MY DASHCAM OFF ITS SUCTION MOUNT. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL AND PULLED IT TO THE SHOULDER. I GET OUT AND SEE THE LEFT SIDE OF MY CAR IS SLAMMED TO THE GROUND, AND THE FENDER IS RIDING ON THE TIRE. I LIMP IT TO A SAFER SPOT IN A NEARBY PARKING LOT, AND TAKE A LOOK. THE STEERING KNUCKLE CASTING IS FRACTURED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE AIR SPRING! TESLA ROADSIDE SAYS THEY SEE NOTHING REMOTELY WRONG WITH MY CAR, SO I'LL NEED TO PAY FOR THE TOW MYSELF. I HAVEN'T HEARD OF THIS BEFORE, AND IT DOESN'T SEEM COMMON. I'M ASSUMING A CASTING DEFECT CAUSED A CRACK THAT PROPAGATED INTO A COMPLETE FRACTURE. LUCKILY MY DASHCAM SHOWS THAT THIS WASN'T CAUSED BY HITTING ANYTHING, AS I'M SURE THAT'S THE LIKELY REASON SC WOULD GIVE FOR A CASTING TO FRACTURE LIKE THAT.** THESE STEERING KNUCKLES ARE MADE FROM POOR QUALITY CAST ALLOY AND THIS SAME FAILYRE HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER CARS. PLEASE RECALL THESE DEADLY CONTRAPTIONS IMMEDIATELY. THANK YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).