Tesla recalls cars over faulty windows, injury risk

Tesla recalls cars over faulty windows, injury risk

October 1, 2022 Joseph Estabillo

Austin, TX – October 1, 2022 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) is recalling 1,096,762 vehicles whose malfunctioning windows may hurt the occupants when closing.

The recall involves the following models: 

  • 2017 – 2022 Tesla Model 3
  • 2021 – 2022 Tesla Model S
  • 2021 – 2022 Tesla Model X
  • 2020 – 2022 Tesla Model Y

Recall summary

Tesla cars use an automatic reversal system for safety on their power-activated windows. If the window encounters an obstacle while closing, it retracts.

In the affected vehicles, the automatic reversal system may not react correctly when it hits an obstacle. It may exert too much force before it stops or retract less than it should.

Recall risks

If the window continues to close when it encounters an obstacle, such as an outstretched body part,  it could cause an injury.

 Other Tesla recalls and investigations

In June 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) escalated its investigation of Teslas crashing into stopped emergency vehicles after it discovered additional crashes that were not associated with emergency scenes. The goal of the investigation is to figure out whether the measures Tesla currently uses to ensure that the driver is paying attention to the road are sufficient.

One of the most recent Tesla Model S recalls occurred in April 2022, when the automaker recalled 594,717 vehicles over a failure to warn pedestrians of the cars’ largely silent approach.

Repair

Dealers will release an over-the-air (OTA) firmware update to the affected vehicles, calibrating the automatic reversal system to safely retract when hitting an obstacle. There will be no cost to owners for this update.

Affected owners will be notified on or around November 15, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 1 million Tesla vehicles are affected by this Tesla automatic window issue. To see if your vehicle is included, run a Tesla recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloTesla recalls cars over faulty windows, injury risk
Tesla issues second recall for vehicles with faulty pedestrian warning systems

Tesla issues second recall for vehicles with faulty pedestrian warning systems

April 24, 2022 Senamile Nkosi

Austin, TX – April 24, 2022 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) is recalling 594,717 vehicles that may fail to warn pedestrians when approaching. This increases the risk of a crash or injury. This recall supersedes a previous recall issued over the same concern in February this year.

The recall applies to the following models:

  • 2020 – 2022 Model S
  • 2020 – 2022 Model X
  • 2020 – 2022 Model Y
  • 2017 – 2022 Model 3

Recall summary

These Tesla models have a Pedestrian Warning System (PWS), which warns pedestrians of the vehicle’s nearly silent approach. In the recalled vehicles the PWS may be inaudible due to the simultaneous use of the Boombox function which allows the vehicle to play other sounds in place of a regular horn in certain scenarios.

While the previous remedy was set to disable the PWS when the car is motion, going in reverse or when in “Neutral,” the feature is still available with the use of the optional Summon or Smart Summon feature.

These features allow the user to “summon” the car out of its parking space or “move it to a specific location” if the driver is standing within a set distance.

Recall risks

If the PWS is inaudible, pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Background of the recall

For additional background on this recall, please visit the following page.

The repair

An over-an-air update under this recall will disable Boombox with the use of Summon or Smart Summon features at no cost to the owner.

In the previous recall, the update only applied to Reverse, Neutral and Drive.

Owners can expect to receive further communication from Tesla regarding the repair program by June 6, 2022. 

Other recent Tesla recalls

There was a Tesla Model X recall earlier this month because of front airbags that may fail to deploy if the windows are rolled down, as reported.

In February this year, there was a Model X recall because of windshield that may not defrost as designed, also as reported.

Some of these models are also subject a government investigation over a potentially distractive video game feature and phantom braking while driving on autopilot.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Nearly 600,000 vehicles are included in this Tesla Boombox recall. To do a Tesla recall check, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Senamile NkosiTesla issues second recall for vehicles with faulty pedestrian warning systems
Tesla recalls vehicles that may fail to warn pedestrians of their approach

Tesla recalls vehicles that may fail to warn pedestrians of their approach

February 18, 2022 Senamile Nkosi

Austin, TX – February 18, 2022 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) is recalling 578,607 vehicles that may not warn pedestrians of their approach. This increases the risk of a crash.

This is the sixth Tesla recall in the past couple of months. It applies to the following models:

  • 2020 – 2022 Model S
  • 2020 – 2022 Model X
  • 2020 – 2022 Model Y
  • 2017 – 2022 Model 3

Recall summary

All the vehicles that are included in this recall have a so-called Boombox function. The Boombox function allows owners to play any sound in place of the regular horn when the car is moving. At the same time, these cars are equipped with the Tesla Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) which warns pedestrians of the vehicle’s typically quiet approach.

The Boombox sound may “obscure” the PWS since they are both played through the same speaker. This means that pedestrians may be unaware of the car’s approach. 

Recall risks

Inaudible pedestrian warnings increase the risk of a crash. Fortunately, Tesla has not recorded any injuries or fatalities related to this issue.

Other recent Tesla recalls

In 2022 and late 2021, the above-mentioned Tesla models have already been subject to five additional recalls, as well as a government investigation over a potentially distracting video game feature.

The most recent Tesla Model Y recall was earlier this month due to frosted-up windshields which limited the driver’s visibility, as reported. Prior to that,  there was a Tesla Model S recall due to faulty seat beltchime, preceded by a Tesla Model 3 recall due to these cars not fully stopping at stop signs. 

You can read up on the investigation and the other Tesla recalls that have already been issued this year here. 

Repair

To remedy the situation, Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) update to disable the Boombox functionality when the car is in Reverse, Neutral and Drive. This will be done at no cost to the owners.

Owners can expect to receive further communication from Tesla regarding the repair program by April 5, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than half a million Tesla vehicles are included in this recall. To see if your vehicle is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Senamile NkosiTesla recalls vehicles that may fail to warn pedestrians of their approach
Tesla recalls vehicles due to frosted-up windshields

Tesla recalls vehicles due to frosted-up windshields

February 13, 2022 Bojan Popic

Austin, TX  – February 13, 2022 –  Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) is recalling 26,681 sedans and SUVs whose windshields may fail to defrost or defog. This limits driver’s visibility, increasing the risk of a crash and injury. 

This is the company’s fifth recall this year, which affects the following vehicles;

  • 2021 – 2022 Tesla Model 3
  • 2021 – 2022 Tesla Model S
  • 2021 – 2022 Tesla Model X
  • 2021 – 2022 Tesla Model Y

Recall summary  

All vehicles that are a part of this recall have a heat, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC), whose job is to heat and cool the car as needed. Due to a software error, the system may fail to defrost or defog the windshield and also “cause the loss of cabin heating.”

Recall risks

A fogged up or a frosted up windshield may limit driver’s visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Warning signs

If the defrosting feature is not working properly, the driver will get a corresponding warning message from the HVAC system. In addition, drivers may notice that the windshield is fogged up.  

Other Tesla recalls 

This is Tesla’s fifth recall this year. There was a Model Y recall earlier this month – which also included Model 3, S and X – because of a feature that allowed these cars to “roll” through a stop sign under certain conditions. The automaker already disabled the feature thanks to an over-an-air (OTA) update.

You can read about other recent recalls and Tesla investigations in this article about a recent Tesla recall because of defective seat belt chimes.

The repair

Tesla will take care of this problem by issuing an over-the-air (OTA) firmware update. No Tesla windshield replacement will be necessary. Notifications to vehicle owners will be sent on April 1, 2022 but it is not clear when the update will be launched.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Tesla defrost recall affects more than 20,000 vehicles. To do a Tesla recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicTesla recalls vehicles due to frosted-up windshields
Tesla recalls four models over faulty seat belt chime

Tesla recalls four models over faulty seat belt chime

February 12, 2022 Joseph Estabillo

Austin, TX – February 12, 2022 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) has issued a recall for 817,143 vehicles across four models over a defective seat belt chime. The absence of an audible reminder to wear the seat belt may cause the driver to operate the vehicle without it, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. 

The recall covers the following models:

  • 2021-2022 Tesla Model S
  • 2021-2022 Tesla Model X
  • 2017-2022 Tesla Model 3
  • 2020-2022 Tesla Model Y

Recall summary

The vehicles have a seat belt chime that activates when the vehicle is started, reminding the driver to fasten the seat belt. This works together with a visual seat belt reminder that can be seen on the vehicle’s dashboard.

If the chime is interrupted when the vehicle was previously used while the seat belt was not fastened, a software error will prevent the chime from sounding off the next time the vehicle is used.  This will happen if, for example, the driver left the vehicle while the chime was still going off with the engine running and then returned.

Recall risks

Drivers may not fasten their seat belts, which augments the risk of an injury in a crash.

While the chime will go off at speeds over 13.7 miles per hour (mph), this may not give the driver enough time to fasten the belt before an accident occurs.

Other Tesla recalls 

The latest Tesla seat belt recall is the electric vehicle maker’s fourth, barely two months into 2022. There was a Tesla Model 3 recall  spanning more than 356,000 vehicles in early January over faulty rearview cameras. This was followed by a Tesla Model S recall involving over 119,000 units for hoods that may open while the vehicle is traveling, obscuring the driver’s view.

The third advisory concerned over 53,000 Tesla vehicles over a “rolling stop” feature that allowed them to go through a stop sign without halting completely, presenting a higher risk of collision with other road users.   

In addition to the recalls, the automaker is subject to two investigations, including one for potentially allowing drivers to play video games on the front console while on the road.

The repair

Tesla already released new firmware to correct the software error, enabling the chime to go off. The firmware update was deployed over-the-air (OTA) to the affected vehicles in late January and early February.

Owners will also receive letters with more information on April 1, 2022.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 800,000 vehicles are included in this Tesla recall. To do a Tesla recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.  

Joseph EstabilloTesla recalls four models over faulty seat belt chime
Tesla recalls cars that don’t stop at stop signs

Tesla recalls cars that don’t stop at stop signs

February 6, 2022 Rebecca Rand

Palo Alto, CA – February 6, 2022 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) is recalling 53,822 electric vehicles with beta software that intentionally allows cars to come to a “rolling stop” at a stop sign, an illegal driving maneuver that also ups the risk of an accident.

The recall affects  the following models :

  • 2017-2022 Tesla Model 3
  • 2016-2022 Tesla Model S
  • 2016-2022 Tesla Model X
  • 2020-2022 Tesla Model Y

Recall summary  

Do Teslas stop at stop signs? Not always. 

At the center of this recall is the problematic “rolling stop” feature in Tesla’s self-driving beta software that allows a car to roll through a stop sign at speeds up to 5.6 miles per hour without coming to a complete halt. 

The cars are programmed to not come to a complete stop only if certain conditions are met. This includes the absence of “relevant moving cars,” pedestrians or cyclists near the intersection.

However, according to the Associated Press (AP), there are no states where a rolling stop is legal.

The recall is limited to cars with “full self-driving software,” which is currently in beta.

Recall risks

According to the recall report Tesla submitted to the auto safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “entering an all-way-stop intersection without coming to a complete stop may increase the risk of collision.” 

Other Tesla safety concerns

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has begun to crack down on Tesla’s safety practices, and has recently launched investigations over distracting game features and failures of its Tesla autopilot feature.

The repair

Tesla will stream an over-the-air (OTA) software update to the affected Teslas early this month that will disable the rolling stop feature. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 53,000 vehicles are included in this Tesla recall. Is your car part of a Tesla Model X recall, Tesla Model S recall or Tesla Model Y recall? Run a Tesla recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandTesla recalls cars that don’t stop at stop signs
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