Tesla's radical yoke steering wheel could be illegal

Tesla is staring down the gun of a serious regulatory gaff that could see the facelifted 2021 Tesla Model S and Model X banned from sale in the US market because its new U-shaped yoke steering wheel does not meet requirements.

According to Road & Track, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is already investigating the Tesla steering wheel replacement over a possible regulatory infringement.

If the NHTSA decides the yoke does not meet or satisfy regulatory requirements, it's believed that a stop-sale notice could be put on both cars, forbidding Tesla from selling the sedan and SUV in its home market.

Commenting on the yoke, a spokesman from the US government agency said: "At this time, NHTSA cannot determine if the steering wheel meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

"We will be reaching out to the auto-maker for more information."

Following the unveiling of the facelifted Tesla Model S cabin, numerous safety concerns were raised by both analysts and commentators.

Slow-speed manoeuvring is one such area a driver using a yoke might struggle, compared to a traditional steering wheel.

Simple parking operations could also be tricky with the U-shaped wheel.

There's no word on when the NHTSA plans to make a judgement on the yoke, or if it plans to force Tesla to reimplement a traditional steering wheel.

However, it's believed the issue should be resolved either way before Australian customers take delivery of their updated Tesla Model S or X.

Production of the refreshed Tesla models commence in the first quarter of 2021 but Australian customers who order the updated Model S today will not take delivery until 2022.