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 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 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 Model S vehicles with in-your-face hoods

Tesla recalls Model S vehicles with in-your-face hoods

January 9, 2022 Bojan Popic

Palo Alto, CA – January 9, 2022 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) is recalling 119,009 vehicles whose hoods may open while driving. This increases the risk of a crash and injury. Affected vehicles include:

  • 2014 Tesla Model S
  • 2015 Tesla Model S
  • 2016 Tesla Model S
  • 2017 Tesla Model S
  • 2018 Tesla Model S
  • 2019 Tesla Model S
  • 2020 Tesla Model S
  • 2021 Tesla Model S

Recall summary  

When closed, the recalled vehicles’ hood – called “frunk,” or front trunk in Tesla speak –  is secured in place with a latch. This is a mechanism with two separate latching assemblies. – The primary latch locks the hood, while the secondary one serves as a backup. In affected sedans, the secondary latch mechanism may be “misaligned,” which prevents it from locking the hood if needed. 

The component in question is the “Hood Latch” with part number 1033011-00-A. 

Recall risks

If the driver accidentally releases the main hood latch while driving, the hood may open unexpectedly. This will obstruct the driver’s view and may result in a crash, increasing the risk of an injury for the car occupants and other motorists.   

Warning signs

Releasing the primary hood latch triggers an alert on the dashboard. 

Other Tesla Model S recalls 

In addition to this Tesla Model S trunk issue, there were several other recalls concerning these vehicles recently. The latest one among them was in November and it was caused by airbags that may rupture during deployment.  

Separately, over 350,000 Model 3 sedans were recalled just last month due to malfunctioning rearview cameras which may fail to display an image when backing up, upping the risk of a backover crash.

The repair

Tesla service centers will fix the issue by inspecting the latch assembly. If needed, they will realign the latch components so it operates as designed. All repairs are free of charge and owners who paid out of pocket may be eligible for reimbursement. Notifications about this replacement will be sent to vehicle owners by mail on February 18, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This recall caused by Tesla trunk issues includes more than 110,000 vehicles. To do a Tesla recall check and see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicTesla recalls Model S vehicles with in-your-face hoods
Tesla recalls Model X and Model S over torn airbags

Tesla recalls Model X and Model S over torn airbags

November 27, 2021 Rebecca Rand

Palo Alto, CA – November 27, 2021 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) has recalled 7,600 luxury electric cars whose driver-side airbags may tear during deployment. The issue increases the risk of driver injury in a crash.

The recall includes:

  • 2021 Tesla Model X
  • 2021 Tesla Model S

Recall summary  

Tesla’s Model X and Model S recall centers around an issue with the door that covers the driver-side airbag compartment.

Due to a supplier error, the airbag door may have a piece sticking out that catches on the airbag as it goes off, which could cause the airbag to tear.

Recall risks

Like a leaky air mattress, an airbag with a hole will not provide the same firm cushion to protect the driver during a crash. This increases the risk of injury to the driver. Read more about the importance of properly functioning airbags in this article about a recent Volvo recall.

The affected part is driver airbag assembly with part numbers 1625769-72-D and ​​1625769-71-D. 

The repair

Tesla dealers will replace the driver-side airbags in all the recalled cars for free. The new airbags will have a reinforced patch to prevent it from tearing. Owners will be notified about the recall by mail starting on January 7, 2022.

Recent Tesla recalls

There was a Tesla Model S recall earlier this month due to the possibility of cars braking unexpectedly on their own or activating false forward collision warning. The recall was limited to “fully self-driving cars” and also included Model 3, Model X and Model Y vehicles. Most vehicles involved in that recall have already been fixed thanks to an over-the-air (OTA) update. 

To read more about this and other recent Tesla recalls, please visit the following article.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Tesla 2021 recall includes over 7,500 vehicles. To do a Tesla recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandTesla recalls Model X and Model S over torn airbags

Tesla recalls cars that may brake on their own

November 6, 2021 Rebecca Rand

Palo Alto, CA – November 6, 2021 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) has recalled 11,704 cars that may brake unexpectedly or issue a false “collision warning.” This increases the risk of a crash.

The recall is  limited to “full-self driving” cars – that are currently in beta –and includes the following electric cars:

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

Recall summary  

Due to a faulty over-the-air (OTA) software update issued by Tesla in October, the recalled cars may unexpectedly activate the emergency brake or falsely warn of a collision ahead. 

Background of the recall

This Tesla brakes’ failure issue was identified on the back of owners’ complaints after the update was performed. 

After Tesla began working on the issue, it remotely deactivated the entire forward collision avoidance system. The LA Times reported that owners were not informed of this deactivation, which raised safety concerns. 

Warning signs

A “warning message” is displayed in the instrument panel if the “false-positive braking” happens. The driver may also hear a “warning chime.”

Recall risks

This Tesla brakes’ issue can cause a collision if a car unexpectedly slams on the brakes ahead of faster moving traffic. The false warning messages and chimes can also distract drivers, also raising the risk of an accident.

Recent Tesla recalls

In July, the manufacturer recalled over 5,000 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles with incorrectly fitted seat belts, which increased the risk of an injury in a crash. Earlier that month, the same vehicles were subject to a recall due to the possibility of them losing tire pressure, as reported. 

The company is also a subject to ongoing investigation for its vehicles’ failure to detect emergency vehicles in their path, as reported.

The repair

As of October 29, 99.8% of cars involved in this recall received an OTA update resolving the issue. If you are having issues, make sure your Tesla is set up for remote updates to receive this repair. Go to a dealer if you are having trouble connecting your Tesla to the internet.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 11,704 vehicles are included in this Tesla emergency brake recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandTesla recalls cars that may brake on their own
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