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Tesla is Being Investigated by NHTSA Due to “Alarming Number of Car Fires”

By Grant Cox

MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 04: A Tesla showroom is seen on April 04, 2019 in Miami, Florida. Tesla announced a first quarter 31% drop in vehicles that were delivered to customers compared to the prior quarter. The news caused the stock to drop approximately 8%.(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 04: A Tesla showroom is seen on April 04, 2019 in Miami, Florida. Tesla announced a first quarter 31% drop in vehicles that were delivered to customers compared to the prior quarter. The news caused the stock to drop approximately 8%.(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) /
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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), during their ongoing investigation into the multiple high-voltage battery fires in Tesla models, has just demanded data relating to “the recent set of software updates, including software updates 2019.16.1 and 2019.16.2 and all subsequent updates issued by Tesla.” Specifically, this update is looking at the Model X and S vehicles. NHTSA sent Tesla a lengthy letter which asked them for a wide variety of information regarding the models. Here’s what NHTSA wants information about;

  • The number of Tesla Model X’s and S’s sold from 2012 through 2019, and specific details regarding those models.
  • The number of consumer complaints, field reports, lawsuits, or property damage claims, that are related to the alleged effect.
  • The way in which Tesla responded to each complaint, lawsuit, damage claim, or report.
  • Details regarding Tesla’s over-the-air updates, specifically those that relate to “charging rate, charging capacity, or battery thermal management.”
  • Details of all the battery fire incidents.
RIEDEN, GERMANY – JUNE 11: A Tesla electric-powered sedan stands at a Tesla charging staiton at a highway reststop along the A7 highway on June 11, 2015 near Rieden, Germany. Tesla has introduced a limited network of charging stations along the German highway grid in an effort to raise the viability for consumers to use the cars for longer journeys. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
RIEDEN, GERMANY – JUNE 11: A Tesla electric-powered sedan stands at a Tesla charging staiton at a highway reststop along the A7 highway on June 11, 2015 near Rieden, Germany. Tesla has introduced a limited network of charging stations along the German highway grid in an effort to raise the viability for consumers to use the cars for longer journeys. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) /

Also detailed in the letter were the penalties Tesla could face if they don’t comply: “up to $22,329 a day with a maximum of $111,642,265.” So it’s fair to say that it’s in Tesla’s best interest to hand the information over. What’s not fair to say, or rather unclear, is how well this will fare for Tesla. Indeed this could reveal some serious problems within Tesla’s powertrains that might call for some massive recalls. Hopefully Tesla doesn’t have to endure that as it could be devastating for the brand.

Art of Gears has asked Tesla if they have any comments regard NHTSA’s recent requests, and we will relay anything we hear.

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