A Tesla Model Y recently made headlines for a major accident within an electric car. The steering wheel of the crossover came off when the owner of the car was driving his new car on the highway. Complaining about the same, the owner of the electric car took to Twitter a picture of the steering wheel in his hands. Following the complaint, the EV maker decided to replace the car to avoid any such problem in future. However, replacing the car did not come easily for the owner.
The chain of events started with Prerak Patel buying a Tesla Model Y. After a week of owning the car, he decides to take his family for a drive. It was when he was driving his family on the freeway when he lost the steering of the electric vehicle. To avoid a major accident, the inductees managed to pull the car safely. Later, the car had to be towed away from the spot where it was parked.
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When Patel complained about it, the Tesla service center concluded that he was responsible for the problem and was asked to pay $100 (Rs 8.263) to have it fixed. A person dissatisfied with the solution tweeted Tesla CEO Elon Musk along with a screenshot of his conversation with Tesla and the initial bill. Looking at the situation, Patel got a refund of his bill.
@Elon Musk @TeslaOwnersWW @BLKMDL3 The family was excited to receive the Tesla Y delivery on 1/24/2023. Was driving on the highway and suddenly the steering wheel fell off, lucky there was no car behind and I was able to pull the divider #safety first #fixed #TeslaModelY #Help pic.twitter.com/4UMokFA2cv– Tesla, y Did the steering wheel fall off? prerek (@preneh24) January 30, 2023
However, the question remained, ‘Who was responsible for the problem, and how should it be handled? Patel also questioned the safety of other car owners like him.
Patel then asked Twitter users to vote on whether he should accept the Model Y with steering back or wait for Tesla to give him a new vehicle. It goes without saying that Twitter fans voted on the new car, and the poll was won handily.
@Elon Musk Am I liable for manufacturing defects? Not even a week has passed and the bill for the bad steering wheel is being received. Isn’t it the responsibility of the company to fix it? I would greatly appreciate a refund and keep the car as we have lost confidence and the family does not feel safe driving it back. pic.twitter.com/7ZsO4ZiXNu– Tesla, y Did the steering wheel fall off? prerek (@preneh24) January 30, 2023
The Model Y was eventually replaced by a new vehicle by Tesla. The electric vehicle maker also informed Patel via letter (seen in the tweet above) that it would be repurchasing the Model Y that had lost its steering wheel. Tesla claims it had no defects or nonconformities, however, and that it is not responsible, merely acting in good faith. No related recall has been made.