NHTSA Complaint #11557065 — 2018 TESLA MODEL 3

First Occurrence (5 Oct 2023): On 5 Oct 2023, as I was backing my 2018 Tesla Model 3 into a parking spot, I heard a loud metallic sound as I turned the wheels. I stopped the car to investigate and found a large bolt (about four inches long) under the front end of the car. Further inspection revealed that a similar bolt was partially backed out of the steering linkage. I also noticed the left front wheel was no longer aligned with the right front wheel. I determined the car was not drivable and I had it flat-bedded to the nearest Tesla Service Center. The service center diagnosed that the bolt had fallen out of the left lateral link and the other bolt had partially backed out. Inspection of the bolt that was recovered under the car showed no sign of wear and tear with the threads being in good condition. After the repair was completed, I asked for this bolt back for the record, but the Service Center said they no longer had the bolt. Before the repair was performed, I asked the Tesla service manager to try to determine why this bolt may have fallen out and the other bolt partially backing out. He inspected the car as well as investigating past Tesla service history and there was no evidence of damage or a repair that would have caused this issue. Second Occurrence (20 Oct 2023): On 20 Oct 2023, just 9 days after the repaired car was returned, I heard the same loud mechanical sound and scrapping noises while parking the car. I looked under the car and found the bolts on the right lateral link had started to back out. I returned the car to the service center on 21 Oct 2023 for a second repair. I voiced concern that this was a continued safety issue as bolts on critical steering and alignment components should not just back out. Fortunately, the bolts fell or backed out in a parking lot and not while travelling at 70 mph ---- potentially resulting in a serious accident and injury. NHTSA Recall 23V-235 should be expanded to more VINs.