NHTSA Asks Tesla for More Information on Model S Fires, Has Until Jan. 14

Dec 04, 2013 03:32 PM EST | Matt Mercuro

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have asked Tesla Motors for records of property damage claims, consumer complaints, and other important information as part of a federal investigation into two Model S fires.

Regulators have also requested information about "any design modifications to the Model S electric sedan as well as engineering drawings," according to Reuters.

The automaker has until Jan. 14 to submit any information.

"If Tesla is unable to provide all of the information requested by the original deadline, it must submit a partial response by the original deadline with whatever information Tesla then has available, even if an extension has been granted," NHTSA said.

The request is not uncommon for any safety probe, but it does show how NHTSA is handling the Model S investigation since being launched last month.

NHTSA's probe came after two Model S EVs in the U.S. and one in Mexico caught fire in under six weeks. The two U.S. fires started after the driver ran over debris in the road, damaging the vehicle's battery pack.

"Describe in detail all possible consequences to the vehicle from an impact to the subject component that damages the battery," said D. Scott Yon, chief of the Vehicle Integrity Division of NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. "Describe in detail how these possible consequences were addressed in the design of the subject vehicle and the limits of that design to prevent damage to the propulsion battery, stalling and fires."

Tesla shares have dropped 25 percent since Oct. 1, mainly due to the media coverage of the Model S fires, according to Reuters.

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