Tesla recalls 9,000 Model X cars from the US following reports parts of the roof FLY OFF - as drivers sue Elon Musk's firm for 'ignoring safety issues'

Tesla is issuing two recalls covering about 9,500 vehicles as drivers filed a separate class action lawsuit over safety concerns.

The recall of cars made by the Palo Alto, California-based firm was due to roof trim that may separate and bolts that may not have been properly tightened.

The larger recall covers 9,136 Model X cars from the 2016 model year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Wednesday.

The US government announced on Wednesday that Tesla is recalling more than 9,000 of its Model X cars due to complaints from drivers about pieces of the roof flying off. The above image is a stock photo of a Tesla Model X SUV taken in January

Last week, a class action lawsuit was filed in California federal court over safety concerns linked to the Model X and Model S electric cars. The above file photo shows a Model S

On Wall Street, shares of Tesla dipped on the news about the recall and the class action lawsuit

In recent years, several Model X owners have posted images on Facebook and Reddit showing bits of the roof missing from their vehicles. 

NHTSA said the front and spine cosmetic roof trim may have been adhered without first using primer, and one or both pieces of trim may separate from the vehicle while it is being driven.

DailyMail.com has sought comment from Tesla. 

Last month, a Tesla driver from the California Bay Area posted video on social media after the roof of his Model Y SUV fell off while he was driving along Interstate 580

‘Hey @elonmusk why didn’t you tell us that Tesla sells convertibles now?’ the driver wrote

A Reddit user identifying himself as the driver's son wrote that the roof fell off the car almost immediately after they drove the brand new vehicle off the dealership lot

The above image shows a stock photo of a Tesla Model Y crossover electric vehicle. Around 400 Model Y vehicles will also be recalled

Last month, a Tesla customer from California posted video on social media showing him driving down a highway in his brand new Model Y after its roof flew off just two hours after he drove it off the lot.

‘Hey @elonmusk why didn’t you tell us that Tesla sells convertibles now?’ the driver wrote.

‘Because the roof of our brand new model Y fell off on the highway.’

The driver also wrote: 'I had heard that there were some problems with Tesla's quality insurance, but I don't know how you can miss something as important as the roof being attached.

The driver said the roof fell off ‘literally two hours after leaving the parking lot’ of the dealership from where he bought the car.

He writes that he immediately returned the vehicle to the dealership.

A Reddit user identifying himself as the driver's son wrote: 'My dad bought a brand new model Y today, and he brought me along to pick it up just in case he needed help with any tech problems. 

Earlier this week, video footage surfaced on social media in China showing the roof of a Tesla fly off as the motorist sped down a highway

Tesla claimed that the problem was caused by a third-party shop that replaced the roof

'Everything was going fine and we were driving back home when we started to hear a ton of wind. 

'I thought maybe a window was open but a minute later the entire glass roof just blew off. 

'After a brief panic we turned around and drove the new Tesla convertible back to the dealership.

'When we got back we called highway patrol to tell them that there was a car roof somewhere on the 580, but somebody might have gotten into an accident, I’m not sure. 

'The manager at the dealership said that either the seal for the roof was faulty, or the factory just ... forgot to seal the roof on? 

'I can’t imagine how something as big as the roof not being attached could make it past quality control. 

'If this is a recurring problem a lot of people could get hurt. Has this ever happened before?'

The Reddit user noted that the dealership offered to service the car for free, but his father declined and decided to buy 'an entirely new car.' 

'Whether we're still getting a Tesla is up to my dad but probably not,' he wrote.

Earlier this week, another video surfaced of a Tesla Model S traveling at high speed along a highway in China.

Several owners of the Tesla Model X have posted images on social media showing parts of the roof missing

The clip shows the roof flying off the vehicle. According to Electrek, the problem was caused by a third-party shop that replaced the roof.

‘We have contacted the owner of the car as soon as possible and are helping the owner solve the problem as soon as possible,’ Tesla said through its account on the Chinese social media app Weibo.

‘After preliminary investigations, the vehicle had undergone roof glass replacement at a third-party authorized repair center.

‘We are currently investigating the cause of the incident.’

Tesla said in documents filed with the US federal government that it learned in September of an event involving a 2016 Model X that prompted a company investigation into the root cause and frequency of the condition that could create a road hazard for motorists behind the vehicle.

Tesla will inspect the recalled vehicles and apply a retention test. 

If they fail, Tesla will apply primer to remedy the condition.

The other recall covers 401 2020 model year Tesla Model Y vehicles with bolts connecting the front upper control arm and steering knuckle that may not have been properly tightened. 

Due to the inadequate tightening, NHTSA said the upper control arm could detach from the steering knuckle.

Tesla said it recently learned of three vehicle repairs where the upper control arm had separated.

It said vehicles would be inspected for proper torque and if necessary, would be adjusted.

Tesla said it was not aware of any accidents or injuries tied to either recall.

Meanwhile, Tesla is being sued by drivers who say the company has failed to address suspension safety concerns in older Model S and Model X electric vehicles.

A class action lawsuit was filed in California federal court on Friday. The 101-page lawsuit alleges that Tesla not only ignored the problem but tried to cover it up.

One Tesla owner posted an image on Facebook of his vehicle's damaged roof, asking: 'Anyone had their roof break?'

Another Tesla owner said a piece of the roof flew into the windshield of another car

A piece of a roof of a Tesla Model X is photographed missing by a vehicle owner above

'Tesla is gambling with the lives and safety of hundreds of thousands of additional drivers and passengers whose vehicles suspension parts at an imminent risk of failure,' the lawsuit alleges.

Last month, Tesla announced it was recalling more than 29,000 US-made Model S and Model X vehicles that were exported to China.

The cars, which were built at Tesla’s plant in Fremont, California, between 2013 and 2018, may have faulty front and rear suspensions, according to Car and Driver.

Because the connecting rods could become damaged due to large impacts, there is greater risk of accident if the suspension fails.

Tesla will replace the rear connecting links in the front suspension and the upper connecting links in the rear suspension in the recalled vehicle.

The NHTSA said it was aware of the China recall.

‘NHTSA is aware of the Tesla recall due to suspension problems in China,’ NHTSA told Car and Driver.

‘At this time, the agency has not received significant complaints related to these issues in the United States.

‘The agency is in contact with Tesla and monitoring the situation closely, and will not hesitate to take action to protect the public against unreasonable risks to safety.’