Tesla recalls 2 million cars over autopilot issues, first responder crashes

Tesla recalls 2 million cars over autopilot issues, first responder crashes

January 4, 2024 Bojan Popic

Austin, TX – January 4,  2024 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) has issued a sweeping recall for roughly 40% of the vehicles it has ever sold due to issues with autopilot issues which may up the risk of a crash.

The recall is related to an ongoing U.S. government investigation into Tesla collisions with emergency vehicles and comes on the back of at least two fatalities and multiple injuries.

Over 2 million vehicles – including the majority of 2012 –2023 Tesla Model S cars – as well as all of the following are affected:

  • 2017 – 2023 Tesla Model 3   
  • 2016 – 2023 Tesla Model X
  • 2020 – 2023 Tesla Model Y

Recall summary  

The listed vehicles are equipped with an autopilot package which includes “steering, braking and acceleration support,” as well as cruise control available under certain circumstances.  When autopilot is engaged, the driver is still required to be in control of the vehicle, maintaining his hands on the steering wheel, “remaining attentive to surrounding road conditions, and intervening…as needed to maintain safe operation.”

In the affected vehicles, the methods used to ensure driver’s attention are not sufficient, allowing the car to drive on autopilot without appropriate human supervision. 

Recall risks

If the driver is not ready to take over in an emergency situation, the car could crash into other vehicles or pedestrians, augmenting the risk of injury. 

Background of the recall

This recall is related to an ongoing National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigation related to crashes between autopilot-enabled Tesla cars and emergency vehicles on the side of the road. The autopilot defect has so far resulted in at least two fatal accidents and multiple injuries. One of the most recent collisions occurred in February of last year in California when a Tesla hit a Contra Costa County fire truck, killing the driver of the car and “critically injuring [the] passenger.”

Other Tesla recalls

Some of these cars may have also been affected by a Tesla recall from February 2023, which was the result of the same investigation.

In May 2023, NHTSA started looking into a separate request to add an allegedly missing safety feature to prevent Teslas from accidentally accelerating while parking.

The repair

Some of the affected vehicles should have already received an over-the-air (OTA) update which, “depending on the vehicle hardware,” should have included additional “visual alerts” and “additional checks upon engaging [autopilot].” If the driver still fails to stay in control of the vehicle, access to autopilot may eventually be suspended. 

The rest of the cars should receive a separate OTA at a later date.

Owners should receive letters with more information by February 10, 2024.  

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This vast Tesla autopilot recall affects more than 2 million cars. To do a Tesla recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. 

Bojan PopicTesla recalls 2 million cars over autopilot issues, first responder crashes
US government mulls request to recall all Teslas to add missing safety feature

US government mulls request to recall all Teslas to add missing safety feature

May 21, 2023 Bojan Popic

Washington, D.C. – May 21, 2023 – The U.S. government’s auto safety regulator is examining a request to recall all Teslas currently on the road to add an allegedly missing safety feature to prevent drivers from accidentally accelerating while parking. Doing so increases the risk of a crash.

This is the second petition of its kind. If it leads to a recall, it could affect over 1.6 million vehicles.

The list includes:

  • 2017 – 2023 Tesla Model 3
  • 2013 – 2023 Tesla Model S
  • 2013 – 2023 Tesla Model X
  • 2013 – 2023 Tesla Model Y

Petition summary  

On April 7, 2023, the regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), started examining a petition submitted by Greek engineer Costas Lakafossis.

The petition alleges that Teslas have an “increased likelihood” of the so-called sudden unintended acceleration events (SUAs)  – which is when the driver hits gas instead of brake – because they are programmed to brake automatically and allow the driver to shift into Reverse without application of the brake pedal.

The feature  – which Lakafossis calls a “dangerous ‘party trick'” – may confuse the driver and should be eliminated, according to the petition. Instead, all Teslas should be fitted with a brake shift mechanism.

What is a brake shift mechanism?

The brake shift interlock mechanism is software or a device that prevents the car from shifting into Drive or Reverse until the driver presses the brake pedal. It was first introduced in the 1980s as a safety feature. It proved successful at preventing accidents caused by sudden and unintended acceleration and became mandatory on all new cars in 2010. 

The petitioner argues that there is no reason why Teslas should be allowed to not have this essential safety feature.

Previous investigation points to driver error

To back up his claims, Lakafossis points to a previous NHTSA investigation on the back of another petition. In that case, the petitioner alleged that Teslas had an unidentified “defect” that caused them to suddenly accelerate. However, upon analyzing close to 250 crashes the previous petitioner attributed to the defect, NHTSA found that the majority of them were caused not a technical fault but by “pedal misapplication” by the driver. 

Other Tesla recalls and investigations

Tesla is currently subject to another NHTSA investigation over multiple incidents of their cars colliding with first responder vehicles stationed at a scene of pre-existing crashes. The investigation was upgraded to the engineering analysis in summer of last year after discovery of additional crashes, as reported.

The most recent large-scale Tesla recall occurred in February 2023 when the manufacturer recalled over 350,000 cars that were prone to breaking traffic rules when in the self-driving mode, also as reported.

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

If this petition results in a Tesla brake interlock recall, it could affect more than 1.5 million vehicles. To do a Tesla recall check, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicUS government mulls request to recall all Teslas to add missing safety feature
Tesla recalls self-driving cars that may break traffic rules

Tesla recalls self-driving cars that may break traffic rules

February 25, 2023 Bojan Popic

Austin, TX – February 25, 2023 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) has recalled 362,758 self-driving cars that may drive unsafely, increasing the risk of an accident.

This recall is a result of a U.S. government investigation.

The following vehicles are affected by this recall: 

  • 2017 – 2023 Tesla Model 3 
  • 2016 – 2023 Tesla Model S
  • 2016 – 2023 Tesla Model X
  • 2020 – 2023 Tesla Model Y   

Recall summary  

All listed vehicles are equipped with a beta version of full self-driving software, which can take control of the car’s steering, acceleration and braking. 

When this mode is activated in the affected cars, they may commit traffic violations. This includes speeding, going through yellow lights, inappropriate lane switching or not stopping at stop signs for long enough. 

Recall risks

A vehicle that breaks traffic rules is more likely to crash, upping the risk of injury. 

Warning signs

The software is set up to warn the driver if it cannot safely operate the vehicle. If this happens, the driver should take over the control. 

Background of the recall

The defect that caused this recall was identified by the U.S. government auto safety regulator, the National Transportation Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA), last month as part of an ongoing investigation into Tesla collisions with emergency vehicles. You can find more information about the investigation here. 

There have been 18 warranty claims related to the recall. 

Other Tesla recalls

Some of the listed electric SUVs may have been affected by a recent Tesla Model X recall caused by airbags that may deploy incorrectly. 

Among previous Tesla Model 3 recalls, the one caused by faulty tail lamps, which took place in November 2022, is the most recent. 

The repair

Tesla will fix the issue by upgrading the vehicles’ software free of charge. The update will be done over-the-air, meaning that there is no need to take the car back to the dealer.

Vehicle owners will get letters with more information on  April 15, 2023. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Tesla full self-driving software recall is affecting more than 350,000 cars. To do a Tesla recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicTesla recalls self-driving cars that may break traffic rules
Tesla recalls cars in China over inoperable side lights

Tesla recalls cars in China over inoperable side lights 

December 14, 2022 Bojan Popic

Austin, TX – December 14, 2022 – Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) is recalling 435,132 electric vehicles made for the China market, as their side markers may fail to illuminate, according to Reuters. This reduces visibility and may lead to a crash, increasing the risk of injury. 

The following vehicles are included: 

  • Tesla Model 3
  • Tesla Model Y 

It is not clear what model-years are affected.

Recall summary

Quarter-panels are panels of a car “between a rear door and the trunk.” The listed cars have side lighting markers placed at the quarter-panels. These may fail to come on. 

Reportedly, these Tesla electrical issues are caused by a software error.   

Recall risks

Inoperable lights make the vehicle less visible to other motorists. In extreme cases, such as thick fog or heavy rain, this may result in a collision, increasing the risk of injury. 

Other Tesla recalls

Light issues caused by faulty tail lamps were the cause of one of the most recent Tesla Model 3 recalls. Certain Model Y cars were affected by this problem, as well.  

In addition, several other Telsa Model Y recalls happened in the past few months, such as one caused by faulty windows, which took place in October 2022. 

The repair

Tesla will launch an over-the-air software update to ensure side markers are on when they should be.

Owners of vehicles whose software has failed to update will be contacted directly. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 435,000 electric cars are affected by this Tesla China recall. To do a Tesla software recall check and see if your car has any similar issues, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. 

Bojan PopicTesla recalls cars in China over inoperable side lights 
Tesla recalls Model X SUVs over airbags that can seriously hurt children

Tesla recalls Model X SUVs over airbags that can seriously hurt children

November 29, 2022 Bojan Popic

Austin, TX – November 29, 2022 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) is recalling 29,348 2021-2023 Tesla Model X electric SUVs because their front passenger airbags may “deploy incorrectly” when a child is seated in that spot. While it is not clear what the manufacturer means by incorrect deployment, airbags that deploy while a small child is in the seat can cause a serious injury or even death of the child occupant.

Recall summary

Front passenger airbags are designed to deploy differently depending on who is seated in that spot. More specifically, this safety device should not be triggered when a small, unbelted child is in that seat. But due to incorrect calibration caused by a software issue, exactly this may happen during a crash at low speeds.  

The part causing this recall is the Vehicle Firmware, with version releases before 2022.40.200.   

Recall risks

Airbags are designed to protect adults. Even then they can cause injuries when deploying given that the deployment happens in milliseconds with very high force. For children, these injuries can prove to be very serious or even fatal as their head can be pulled away from the body by the force of the airbag inflating.

Safety tips

Children under 13 should never be seated in the front seat as it doubles their risk of injury in a crash. If you must put your child in the front seat, make sure that you move the seat as far away from the dash as possible. If possible, also manually turn off the airbag, “especially for a rear-facing seat.”

Be sure to connect with your local fire department or another first responder for free child seat checks.

Other Tesla Model X recalls

Apart from this Tesla airbag recall, Model X was recently affected by a power steering issue that may result in a loss of control. 

Earlier this month, Model 3 and Model X were recalled over faulty tail lamps, as reported.

The repair

Tesla has launched a free over-the-air firmware update with corrected calibrations for the airbag control module. You can reach out to Tesla customer service to ensure that the update has been implemented on your car.

Owners will be sent letters with additional information on January 14, 2023. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Nearly 30,000 electric SUVs are affected by this Tesla Model X airbag recall. To do a Tesla recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. 

Bojan PopicTesla recalls Model X SUVs over airbags that can seriously hurt children
Tesla recalls Model 3 and Model Y cars over faulty tail lamps

Tesla recalls Model 3 and Model Y cars over faulty tail lamps 

November 26, 2022 Joseph Estabillo

Austin, TX – November 26, 2022 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) has issued a recall for 321,628 vehicles due to a problem with the tail lamps. One or both of the lamps at the rear could fail to light up, increasing the risk of an accident.

The recall covers the following models: 

  • 2023 Tesla Model 3
  • 2020 – 2023 Tesla Model Y

Recall summary

In the recalled vehicles, due to a firmware problem, one or both of the tail lamps may fail to illuminate consistently. 

Recall risks

Tail lamps that do not illuminate as expected reduce the vehicle’s visibility, which could increase the risk of a collision.  

Other Tesla recalls

A Tesla Model X airbag recall was issued in mid-November over airbags that could fail to deploy properly in low-speed crashes.

In November, Tesla recalled 24,064 2017-2022 Model 3 cars over seatbelts that fail to restrain occupants in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.   

In June, the U.S. government upgraded its investigation into problems regarding Tesla’s autopilot feature that caused vehicles to crash into emergency responders attending to a prior, unrelated accident. The probe potentially covers 830,000 Tesla vehicles.

The repair

Tesla will use an over-the-air (OTA) update to correct the problem with the firmware in the affected vehicles, ensuring that the tail lamps will operate as intended. These updates are automatic and do not require owners to bring their cars to a Tesla service center. The timeline of the update is not clear.

Owners of affected vehicles will be notified on or around January 14, 2023.  

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 321,000 vehicles are affected by this Tesla tail lamp issue. To see if your vehicle is among them, or to check for 2023 Tesla Model X recalls, Tesla airbag recalls and more,  run a Tesla recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloTesla recalls Model 3 and Model Y cars over faulty tail lamps 
Tesla recalls Model S and Model X cars with faulty power steering

Tesla recalls Model S and Model X cars with faulty power steering

November 19, 2022 Bojan Popic

Austin, TX – November 19, 2022 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) is recalling 40,168 vehicles whose power steering may stop working. This may cause the driver to lose control of the car, upping the risk of a crash and injury.

The following models are affected by this recall: 

  • 2017 – 2021 Tesla Model S
  • 2017 – 2021 Tesla Model X

Recall summary

Both listed models are equipped with an Electronic Power Assist Steering system (EPAS) which makes it easier for the driver to turn the wheel. In October, Tesla introduced a faulty firmware which resulted in the car losing power steering in certain situations, such as after hitting a pothole or a bump.

The component causing the issue is the vehicle firmware, with release numbers between 2022.36 and 2022.36.4.

Recall risks

With power assistance gone, steering will require more effort. This may cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. 

Warning signs

If the power steering shuts down, a warning sign will appear on the dashboard, accompanied by an audible alert. 

Other Tesla recalls

Among previous Tesla Model S recalls, the one from October 2022, caused by defective windows, is the most recent. This recall affected more than a million vehicles. 

There was a Tesla Model X recall in May due to the risk of the infotainment systems freezing up. 

The repair

Tesla has already issued a firmware updated to fix the issue. The repair is free of charge. 

Owners will be notified on December 31, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 40,000 electric cars were recalled over these Tesla power steering issues. To do a Tesla recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. 

Bojan PopicTesla recalls Model S and Model X cars with faulty power steering
Tesla recalls Model 3s with unsecured seat belts

Tesla recalls Model 3s with unsecured seat belts

November 11, 2022 Bojan Popic

Austin, TX – November 11, 2022 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) is recalling 24,064 2017-2022 Tesla Model 3 electric cars, whose seat belts may not restrain occupants in the event of a crash. This ups the risk of injury. 

Recall summary

In the listed vehicles, the second-row left seat buckle and the middle seat anchor are held in place with one bolt. When servicing the vehicles, technicians failed to re-assemble the components correctly. This may result in the seat belts in the second row being loose.

Recall risks

A loose or otherwise defective seat belt might not hold the passenger in place if there is a crash, increasing the risk of an injury. 

Warning signs

If not reassembled properly, one or both of these components will be loose. 

Other Tesla Model 3 recalls

You can find comprehensive information about all Tesla recalls that took place in 2022 in this article. 

Additionally, some of 2017 Tesla Model 3 cars, as well as many others, were recalled last month because their windows may malfunction and catch passenger limbs. 

The repair

Dealers will inspect the seat belt anchoring points on these vehicles and rearrange them correctly if needed. This repair is free of charge. 

In addition, to stop this from happening in the future, Tesla has updated their service procedure manuals. 

Owners will be notified on December 20, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Nearly 25,000 electric cars are recalled over this Tesla seat belt issue. To do a Tesla recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. 

Bojan PopicTesla recalls Model 3s with unsecured seat belts
Can my Tesla catch on fire?

Can my Tesla catch on fire?

November 6, 2022 Bojan Popic

Washington, D.C. – November 6, 2022 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) has been getting a lot of public attention lately because several of its electric cars caught fire. In most cases, this happened while driving and, apparently, without any warning signs, resulting in dangerous situations.  

With all that in mind, it is no wonder drivers worry about Tesla electrical issues. In this article, we will go over the reported cases and assess the risks involved. 

Is my Tesla likely to catch fire? 

At this time, there is no evidence to suggest these electric vehicles (EVs) are more prone to spontaneous fires than any other cars. In fact, manufacturers such as Hyundai or Chrysler had much more trouble with this than Tesla. 

However, recently, there has been a string of Tesla fires. It is not known if they are related or are part of a larger issue.

Recent Tesla fires 

August saw five Tesla fires. First, a Tesla Model S Plaid burst into flames when its drive unit malfunctioned. The defect was detected by the vehicles’ onboard computers, which warned the driver to drive slowly. But this, however, did not seem to help, as the car caught fire just a few miles afterward. 

In California, a Tesla Model S burst into flames while driving on the highway, with fire quickly spreading to nearby vegetation. The state also saw a case of a crash-damaged Tesla suddenly erupting in flames after sitting in a junkyard for three weeks.

Just a few days prior, a similar accident happened in Florida. Luckily, no one was severely injured on these occasions.

A Tesla also caught fire at a store in Massachusetts.

Risks

Although not all fires are caused by Teslas’ battery packs, high-voltage modules that Teslas and other electrical cars have are extremely difficult to put out. There are reports about firefighters tackling the flaming batteries for hours, as they would re-ignite several times. Besides being difficult to put out, these flames also reach much higher temperatures. All of this poses an additional risk if the vehicle fire happens near other cars or inside a building. 

What to do if my Tesla does burst into flames? 

While there is nothing to suggest your Tesla might catch fire, familiarizing yourself with the location and operation of door levers may be useful. This is because in Tesla cars, doors are electrically opened from the inside at a push of a button. But if a fire breaks out, it may bring down the whole electrical system, making the doors inoperable. Because of this, Tesla vehicles also have conventional door levers, which occupants may use in an emergency to safely exit the vehicle.   

You can also find more information about what to do if your car catches fire in this Kia fire-related recall.

 Is your vehicle part of a recall?

At this moment, there are no Tesla fire issues or recalls. But to do a Tesla recall check and see what might be troubling your own electric car, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool or see this article for an overview of recent ones. 

Bojan PopicCan my Tesla catch on fire?
Is your Tesla subject to recall?

Is your Tesla subject to recall?

October 16, 2022 Bojan Popic

Washington, D.C. – October 16, 2022 – Since the beginning of 2022, Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) has had nine recalls, in total affecting a total of 3.8 million vehicles. Besides the recalls, the company is also subject to three ongoing investigations by the U.S. government’s auto safety regulator over several issues, with one concerning Tesla’s collisions with emergency vehicles.

Malfunctioning rearview cameras 

The first Tesla recall came in early January, affecting more than 350,000 2017-2020 Tesla Model 3 cars. This was caused by malfunctioning rearview cameras.  

In-your-face hoods

Also in January, an issue with hoods that may open while driving caused a recall of the 2014-2020 Tesla Model S cars. Almost 120,000 vehicles were affected on this occasion.

Cars not stopping 

In February, it was discovered that some Tesla cars might come to a rolling stop at a stop sign while on autopilot. This maneuver is not only dangerous but also illegal, so the software on these vehicles was updated to prevent it from happening. More than 50,000 cars mid-size and luxury cars were affected.

The seat belt chime not going off  

That same month, there was a large scale recall caused by the absence of an audible seat belt chime. The problem was rectified by updating software in more than 800,000 cars, including Model 3, Model S, Model Y and Model X.  

Frosted-up windshields

On the heels of the seat belt chime issue the company also issued a recall for over 26,000 cars were recalled because their windshields would not defrost. The issue was once more solved with a software update. 

Failure to warn pedestrians  

The Pedestrian Warning System, or PWS, whose job is to make the car more noticeable to nearby pedestrians, caused two recalls this year. 

First, the Boombox function, which substitutes a traditional horn, was found to interfere with the PWS. This was remedied in February 2022 with a software update that disabled the Boombox while in Drive, Reverse or Neutral. 

But even after that, the issue was still present when the Summon feature was used to maneuver the car, resulting in a second recall in April 2022. More than half a million vehicles were recalled over these Tesla software issues.

Airbags not deploying

A batch of 2021-2022 Tesla Model X vehicles, whose side curtain airbags would fail to deploy in certain cases, was recalled in April 2022. Dealers are set to fix the issue by replacing the affected airbags with updated ones. 

Speedometer and infotainment display woes 

On two separate occasions in May, Tesla recalled some of its vehicles over safety features that were not working properly. 

First, there was an issue with certain 2018–2022 Tesla Model 3 compact sedans, whose speedometers were not showing the unit of speed. These Tesla electrical issues affected approximately 50,000 cars.   

A few days later, a range of models was recalled over an issue with their Infotainment systems, which could stop working. If that were to happen, the driver would not have access to the car’s vital functions.  

Power windows that may injure occupants 

Just recently, in October 2022, Tesla had to recall more than a million of its cars over an issue with power windows. On affected vehicles, which included all popular models, the window would not stop rolling up when it encountered an obstacle. Tesla solved the problem with a software update. 

Investigations

Aside from the recalls, The regulator, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating the manufacturer over three separate issues which may result in additional recalls.

In January 2022, NHTSA opened an investigation into potentially distracting video game features available on all Tesla models made after 2017. 

Just a month later, in February 2022, the regulator started looking into reports of  Tesla cars that would reportedly brake by themselves while on autopilot. The cars involved in this investigation included the 2021-2022 Tesla Model 3 and Model Y. 

Lastly, there is an ongoing investigation over several alarming cases of cars crashing into stationary emergency vehicles while on autopilot. In June 2022, the NHTSA investigators took this to the next level, trying to find out the root of the problem. 

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

Up-to-date, over 3.8 million Tesla vehicles were recalled in 2022 over various Tesla issues. To do a Tesla recall check and see if yours is affected by any of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. 

Bojan PopicIs your Tesla subject to recall?
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