Model Y owner's steering wheel comes loose while driving, Tesla initially charges US$104 for repair

A loose steering wheel that eventually falls off the steering column may be one of the worst nightmares for many drivers, since such a defect can certainly have dire consequences if it occurs at higher speeds on the highway. Thankfully, such an incident involving a Tesla Model Y has now concluded with a more or less happy ending.

About one and a half week ago, New Jersey resident Prerak Patel shared his rather frightening experience on Twitter, just days after he and his family took delivery of their long-awaited Tesla Model Y. On a highway drive home from a shopping mall trip, the steering wheel of the electric SUV suddenly came loose. Thanks to the traffic conditions, he was able to pull over and safely stop his Tesla Model Y on the side of the road. Miraculously, no accident occurred and nobody was physically harmed in the incident.

However, the owner was flabbergasted when his service center presented him a US$104 repair bill instead of fixing the obvious manufacturing defect of his Tesla Model Y under warranty and free of charge. Only after several media outlets reported on this absurd situation, the American carmaker eventually waived the repair charges and now offered the disappointed family an even more generous solution, while emphasizing that it is only acting in goodwill and does not acknowledge any liability. Either way, the company has apparently bought back the affected Tesla Model Y and will provide the family with a loaner car until their new vehicle is delivered.

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