March 9, 2023 — 6.22am Save Messages were left seeking comment from Tesla, which has disbanded its media relations department. At first a Tesla service centre gave Patel a cost estimate of $US103.96 ($158) to repair the problem. The service centre apologised in what appear to be text messages posted on Twitter. Advertisement When Patel wrote that he had lost faith in Tesla and asked for a refund, the service centre removed the charge and wrote that Tesla doesn’t have a return policy, but he could reach out to the sales and delivery team. Patel was later given the option of keeping the car or getting it replaced with a new one, he said, and Patel chose to do so. Patel said he’s a fan of Tesla CEO Elon Musk and has invested a large chunk of his savings in the stock, which fell 3 per cent Wednesday. “My kids were a little scared to ride in a loaner Tesla and, as a parent, we are able to restore their confidence,” Patel said. “My family is fine now and hope Tesla will investigate and improve its (quality control) so no other family experience what we experienced.” Detached steering wheels are rare in the auto industry, but not unprecedented. In February, Nissan recalled about 1,000 Ariya electric vehicles because the wheels could come off of the steering column due to a loose bolt. Yet the latest NHTSA investigation adds to a long string of problems that Tesla is having with the US road safety agency. In the past three years it has opened investigations of Tesla’s “Autopilot” driver-assist system crashing into parked emergency vehicles, and problems with suspensions. At least 14 Teslas have crashed into emergency vehicles while using the Autopilot system. On Wednesday, the same day the report was aired on problematic Tesla steering wheels, US safety regulators said a Tesla that crashed into a firetruck in California last month killing the driver and injuring a passenger, as well as four firefighters, is suspecting of operating on one of the company’s automated driving systems. In February, NHTSA pressured Tesla into recalling nearly 363,000 vehicles with “Full Self-Driving” software because the system can break traffic laws. The system, which cannot drive itself, is being tested on public roads by as many as 400,000 Tesla owners. But NHTSA said in documents that it can make unsafe actions such as travelling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, going through a yellow traffic light without proper caution or failing to respond to changes in posted speed limits. The US Justice Department also has asked Tesla for documents from Tesla about “Full Self-Driving” and Autopilot. The agency also is investigating complaints that Teslas can brake suddenly for no reason. Loading NHTSA has sent investigators to 35 Tesla crashes in which automated systems are suspected of being used. Nineteen people have died in those crashes, including two motorcyclists. Since January of 2022, Tesla has issued 20 recalls, including several that were required by NHTSA. The recalls include one from January of last year for “Full Self-Driving” vehicles being programmed to run stop signs at slow speeds. AP