Tesla denies safety problems with Model S suspensions

Perhaps more troubling is a report from Edward Niedermyer on Dailykanban that Tesla is actively trying to cover up issues with its cars and force its customers not to reach out to the NHTSA. This vehicle, equipped with a smaller battery pack, can muster 338 kilometers per charge-still plenty of range for most urban drivers.

“The agency immediately informed Tesla that any language implying that consumers should not contact the agency regarding safety concerns is unacceptable, and NHTSA expects Tesla to eliminate any such language”, said NHTSA spokesman Bryan Thomas.

The company says it has given the safety agency all relevant information.

The auto, owned by Peter Cordaro, 61, of Connellsville, Pa., has more than 70,000 miles on it and needed two tow trucks to take it to the service center, one to get it from the dirt road he lives on to the highway, and another to take it from the highway to the service center.

However, the bigger issue is Tesla’s form it asks clients to sign which the company calls a “Goodwill Agreement”.

Tesla denied Friday putting pressure on customers to stay quiet over problems in its luxury all-electric cars amid questions about the strength of the suspensions in the popular Model S.

In unrelated Tesla news, the company has re-introduced production of a less-expensive, reduced-range Model S coined the Model S 60. Tesla officials there is no safety defect in either its Model S sedan or Model X crossover, the only two models the company now sells.

The vehicle is thought to be filling the gap in sales until customers can take delivery of the newly launched, lower-cost Model 3. The Model X SUV was recalled earlier this year because of a problem with its rear seats. Tesla’s first model, the two-seat Roadster produced from 2008 to 2011, was beset with safety problems that damaged the company’s image with consumers.

Two years ago, the safety administration looked into two instances in which Model S cars caught fire.

In the case of the suspension, Tesla took care of repairs for some customers who complained to the company, on the condition that they agreed in writing not to talk about the issue or how Tesla dealt with it. According to the customer, part of the agreement had stated: “You agree to keep confidential our provision of the Goodwill, the terms of this agreement and the incidents or claims leading or related to our provision of the Goodwill”.

The agreements reportedly required that vehicle owners don’t say anything to anyone about the problem, the fix or even about the agreement itself.

“The basic point is to ensure that Tesla doesn’t do a good deed, only to have that used against us in court for further gain”. However, it admitted that sometimes it does ask customers to sign a “goodwill agreement” for the objective of ensuring that it “doesn’t do a good deed, only to have that used against us in court for further gain”.

A Tesla spokeswoman said she was looking into NHTSA’s statement, declining to immediately elaborate, Reuters reported.