Tesla recalls nearly 3,000 Model Y and Model 3 vehicles over faulty suspension issue

Tesla is recalling nearly 3,000 vehicles due to an issue with suspension that could misalign the wheel, causing instability and increasing risk of a crash.

The recall applies to 2020-2021 Model Y and 2019-2021 Model 3 vehicles, and owner notification letters will be mailed Dec. 24. Owners of Tesla vehicles can also search their vehicle's VIN number using Tesla's VIN recall search or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration  database of recalls.

The issue stems from the fact that the vehicle's front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, causing the steering wheel to loosen and impacting the safety of driving the vehicle.

Tesla Service will tighten or replace the lateral link fasteners as necessary for free. Tesla owners affected by the recall can call Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. 

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Tesla has been subject to six recalls and one investigation, and the NHTSA gives it a five-star overall safety rating.

The NHTSA opened a probe in August into Tesla's Autopilot, which steers, brakes and accelerates the vehicle on most roads with lanes. The National Transportation Safety Board and NHTSA have investigated Autopilot multiple times, including after a crash in 2016 that killed a man in Florida who authorities said had too much confidence in the system's capabilities.

In May, a deadly crash in Texas involving an Autopilot vehicle called attention to the fact that drivers can trick Autopilot into thinking someone's behind the wheel.

A few weeks later, another Tesla reportedly in Autopilot mode crashed into a Florida Highway Patrol cruiser parked on the side of the road in Orlando.

Despite these issues, Tesla's valuation has reached $1 trillion, the fifth company to do so after Apple, Microsoft, Amazon and Google parent Alphabet. 

Along with the venture SpaceX, Tesla has made Elon Musk the richest person in the world, and a report by Morgan Stanley revealed that he could become the world's first trillionaire.

Contributing: Nathan Bomey, USA TODAY.

Michelle Shen is a Money & Tech Digital Reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her @michelle_shen10 on Twitter.