US government investigates Tesla over alleged steering loss  

Washington, D.C.  – February 27, 2024 – The U.S. government’s auto safety regulator is investigating Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) over allegations about their electric cars may lose power steering. The alleged defect ups the risk of a crash and injury.  

If the investigation leads to a Tesla recall, it could affect an estimated 334,569 vehicles, including:   

  • 2023 Tesla Model 3 
  • 2023 Tesla Model Y   

Investigation summary   

The regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), opened a preliminary investigation on July 28, 2023, following 12 complaints about cars losing power steering.

While investigating, the agency uncovered over 2,300 complaints alleging the same thing and received information about a crash associated with the defect.

Steering racks provided by Tesla were identified as the culprit.

The regulator is now taking the investigation to the next level, where it aims to discover what causes the racks to fail.

Risks

Jammed or otherwise inoperable steering makes the vehicle difficult to control, increasing the risk of a crash and injury.

‘Significant problems with the steering wheel’

Complaints submitted to NHTSA talk about the steering wheel locking up or becoming “exceedingly stiff” in brand new cars. Drivers had to use “immense manual power” to move the vehicle and reported being “lucky” that these incidents did not occur on major highways.

Safety tips

“Multiple complaints” mentioned that the driver could “temporarily” remedy the problem by turning the car on and off. 

Warning signs 

The loss-of-steering incidents were sometimes accompanied by a “Steering Assist Reduced” warning message and clicking sounds while turning. 

Other Tesla recalls

In January, Tesla recalled more than 2 million of their electric cars because they may crash into first-responder vehicles while cruising on autopilot.  

This month, the manufacturer recalled some of the same cars due to “insufficiently visible display messages,” as reported.

Is your vehicle a part of a recall?

This investigation may eventually lead to a Tesla steering loss recall, potentially affecting more than 330,000 electric cars. To do a Tesla recall check and see if your car might be a part of it, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicUS government investigates Tesla over alleged steering loss  

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

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

Tesla recalls Model 3s with unsecured seat belts

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

Tesla recalls 285,000 cars in China over cruise control problem

Beijing, China – June 30, 2021 –Tesla  (NASDAQ:TSLA) will recall 285,520 cars in China because drivers can accidentally activate cruise control, causing the car to unexpectedly change speed. The recall includes:

  • Tesla Model 3 vehicles built outside of China between January 12, 2019 and November 27, 2019
  • Tesla Model 3 vehicles built in China between December 19, 2019 and June 7, 2021
  • Tesla Model Y SUVs built in China between January 1, 2021 and June 7, 2021

Recall summary  

According to a statement by China’s State Administration for Market Regulation, the recalled Tesla Model Y’s and 3’s “may cause the driver to incorrectly activate the active cruise function” while shifting out of drive or while making a sharp turn. If cruise control is inadvertently turned on, and then the driver presses the brakes, the car will suddenly accelerate back to its original speed once the brakes are released, without the driver pressing the accelerator.

The recall, a voluntary move by Tesla, follows an investigation by the Chinese government into the defect. 

Risks

This kind of unexpected acceleration could confuse or surprise drivers,  potentially causing a crash. 

The repair

Tesla will remotely stream a cruise control software update to recalled Tesla Model 3’s and Y’s. Tesla will contact owners of cars that can not be reached by the update through their dealers. All owners will be notified about the recall and coming update.

Recent Tesla recalls

In the United States, 2020 – 2021 Tesla Model Y SUVs have been recalled three times this year over issues with brakes and seatbelts. Two of these recalls also affected 2020 Tesla Model 3 cars.

Will your vehicle be affected by this recall?

Over 285,000 vehicles are included in China’s 2021 Tesla recall. There is no recall in the United States yet. Bookmark MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool to stay on top of potential Tesla recalls affecting your car.

Rebecca RandTesla recalls 285,000 cars in China over cruise control problem