US regulator collecting data on faulty Tesla Model S suspension parts

Tesla, the electric vehicle company headed by Elon Musk is under the scanner of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) over claims that the Tesla Model S had faulty suspension parts.

A NHTSA representative told Reuters that the agency is "examining the potential suspension issue on the Tesla Model S, and is seeking additional information from vehicle owners and the company."

Tesla has rejected claims that it was being investigated, saying in a blog post that "[the] NHTSA has not opened any investigation nor has it even started a 'preliminary evaluation,' which is the lowest form of formal investigatory work that it does." According to Tesla, the NHTSA acknowledged that it was in "data collection mode" right now, though, the distinction might be missed by the public.

The owner of a 2013 Model S with 73,000 miles, said the left front hub assembly detached from the upper control arm of his 2013 Model S. When the customer took the car for servicing, he was told that the amount of wear was abnormal, and was caused by a loose, rusty ball joint.

The owner posted this on the Tesla Motors Club forums back in April about the incident, which was picked up by automotive site Daily Kanban. An NHTSA safety report reportedly said a defect could cause suspension control arms to break, which could severely impact a driver's ability to control the vehicle.

Meanwhile, the US National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) said customers might have been asked to sign non-disclosure agreements after reports emerged of a possible defect causing suspension control arms to break and the driver losing control of the car.

According to NHTSA spokesman Bryan Thomas the agency was ''examining the potential suspension issue on the Tesla Model S, and sought additional information from vehicle owners and the company''.

A review is a step before the agency decides whether a formal investigation leading to a potential safety recall was to be opened.

NHTSA said it had learned that Tesla had entered into what it called a ''troublesome nondisclosure agreement'' with a Tesla Model S owner who had suspension problems.