NHTSA Complaint #11604382 — 2023 TESLA MODEL Y

On 5/23/2024 I gradually noticed a clunking noise associated with driving, more noticeable the faster I went (max 20-30mph). Concerned for a flat tire, I check the tire pressure in my car and it was normal in all 4 tires, no obvious flat tire externally. I continued to drive as normal. The following day on 5/24/2024, I was on the highway when all of a sudden I felt a huge change in the smoothness while driving. I shortly thereafter got a notification (albeit small alert on the screen) to pull over immediately, by the time I was partially able to reach the shoulder, my care was practically scraping on metal. 911 had to shut down the I95 ramp as I couldn't make it entirely in the shoulder. Until they arrived, I could have experienced a major accident on a very busy highway. After examining the car, it was clear the previous clunking noise was due to a missing screw of the wheel arch liner, which had caused it to be hitting the tire. This subsequently resulted in the complete destruction and blow-out of my tire. Replaced by Tesla and charged for the entire service cost. Now, 7/24/2024 another safety defect in the exterior fittings of my car. I noticed that the underbody panel of my car has been partially detached and has been hanging down. There have been no accidents or unsafe road conditions that would have caused this to have occurred. I believe another screw has come off of the fittings. This too could have resulted in a major accident. There is no obvious trauma or events in which these two product damages have occurred. Both in which gave little to no warnings and could have resulted in serious damage, injury or death.