US government investigates Tesla over vehicles crashing into poles, walls and other cars

US government investigates Tesla over vehicles crashing into poles, walls and other cars

January 23, 2025 Bojan Popic

Washington, D.C. – January 23, 2025 – The U.S. government auto safety regulator is investigating Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) over allegations of vehicles colliding with various objects while in the self-driving mode.

The investigation could lead to a recall of roughly 2.6 million electric vehicles. 

The following models would be affected:

  • 2017 – 2025 Model 3 
  • 2016 – 2025 Model S 
  • 2016 – 2025 Model X 
  • 2020 – 2025 Model Y 

Investigation summary  

The regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), opened a preliminary investigation on January 6, 2025. The investigation came on the heels of 16 complaints of Teslas crashing into surrounding cars and property while maneuvering out of parking lots on their own thanks to the so-called smart summon feature.

The smart summon feature

Smart summon allow drivers to summon the car to their desired location. It is not designed for use on public roads.

Investigation purpose

The investigation aims to gauge whether Tesla’s self-maneuvering mechanism can reliably detect obstacles it may encounter and if there are any “app connectivity delays” that may be causing “increased stopping distances.”

‘’It was a big pole’’

Drivers reported that their vehicles have crashed into walls as well as other cars, including at least one with a “passenger inside.” In one accident, the vehicle failed to avoid a “big pole,” leaving the driver convinced that there was something wrong with the “camera system, sensor or… the hardware.”

Dealers in some cases blamed the defect on the smart summon still being in beta, despite it being around since 2016. The costs of the repair were thus not covered by the warranty, causing a “perplexing and disheartening” situation for the driver who had to pay $8,000 out of pocket.

No injuries or fatalities have been reported. However, at least in one case, the Tesla and the vehicle it hit both sustained “significant damage.” 

Other Tesla recalls

Close to 2 million Tesla EVs were affected by a recall from August 2024 caused by fly-away hoods, as reported.   

Tesla is currently being investigated by the U.S. government over a suspected fault with another self-driving feature, which led to a fatal crash. 

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

This investigation could lead to a Tesla smart summon recall, potentially affecting nearly 2.6 million electric vehicles. To do a Tesla recall check and see if your vehicle might be a part of it, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicUS government investigates Tesla over vehicles crashing into poles, walls and other cars
Tesla recalls EVs over reduced rearview visibility

Tesla recalls EVs over reduced rearview visibility 

January 21, 2025 Bojan Popic

Austin, TX – January 21, 2025 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) is recalling 239,382 electric vehicles (EVs) whose rearview camera may not show an image. This defect augments the chances of a crash while reversing.

The following models are affected: 

  • 2024 – 2025 Tesla Model 3 
  • 2024 – 2025 Tesla Model S
  • 2023 – 2025 Tesla Model X
  • 2023 – 2025 Tesla Model Y

Recall summary  

The rearview camera in the listed vehicles may fail because of an electrical short. As a result, the image may not be shown while backing up.  

Background of the recall

The manufacturer decided to recall the listed vehicles following over 900 warranty claims and field reports. No accidents or injuries have been reported.

Recall risks

The absence of a rearview camera image limits the driver’s field of view when going backward, increasing the chances of crashing into nearby objects or pedestrians. 

Other Tesla recalls

The U.S. government is currently investigating Tesla after one of its self-driving vehicles killed a pedestrian, as reported.

Last year, Tesla recalled 200,000 cars over an identical issue with their rearview cameras. 

The repair

The affected vehicles will receive a free over-the-air (OTA) software update or a new car computer. The update was deployed on the corresponding vehicles last month.

The owners should receive letters with more information on March 7, 2025. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Tesla rearview camera recall affects almost 240,000 electric cars and SUVs. 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 EVs over reduced rearview visibility 
Tesla issues second Model X recall over fly-away trim

Tesla issues second Model X recall over fly-away trim 

September 7, 2024 Bojan Popic

Austin, TX – September 7, 2024 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) is recalling 9,136 2016 Tesla Model X SUVs whose roof trims may detach and fall onto the road, endangering other motorists and upping the risk of a crash and injury. 

Tesla already attempted to address the issue back in 2020 but was unsuccessful.

Recall summary

These electric SUVs have two pieces of trim on their roofs, one above the windshield and the other between the front and rear doors.  In the affected vehicles, the trim was not properly glued during production and could separate from the car while driving.   

Recall risks

All risks posed by fly-away trims or body panels are described in this Mercedes-Benz recall. 

Warning signs

Besides noticing trim separation, the driver may also hear wind noises while driving.

Background of the recall

After completing the 2020 recall, Tesla became aware of the trim detaching in a repaired vehicle. Leading up to the present recall, Tesla received “40 warranty claims, 6 field reports, and 125 service reports” about the separation.

No injuries or crashes have been reported.

Other Tesla recalls

Last month, Tesla recalled almost 2 million vehicles, including Model Xs, whose hoods would open while driving.

Separately, the manufacturer is being investigated by the U.S. government over alleged steering loss.    

The repair

Dealers will put trim adhesion to the test and glue the pieces back on free of charge. 

Owners will be notified on October 14, 2024.    

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 9,000 Model X SUVs are affected by this Tesla fly-away trim recall. To do a Tesla recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicTesla issues second Model X recall over fly-away trim 
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 issues recall due to loss of access to essential functions

Tesla issues recall due to loss of access to essential functions

May 21, 2022 Senamile Nkosi

Austin, TX – May 21, 2022 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) is recalling 129,960 vehicles because the infotainment system’s central processing unit (CPU) may overheat, resulting in a loss of access to essential functions, such as warning lights.

This increases the risk of a crash or injury.

The recall includes the following models:

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

Recall summary

During the fast-charging process, the infotainment CPU — the processing unit that controls the screen display — may fail to cool down properly due to a firmware issue. The excess heat can slow down the CPU or trigger a restart. As a result, the center screen may lag or go blank.

Recall risks

If the center screen is not functioning properly, the driver may be unable to view features such as the rearview camera image, the gear selection screen, windshield visibility control settings and warning lights. This increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Warning signs

The Tesla infotainment system’s display may lag or appear blank.

Other Tesla recalls

A recent 2022 Tesla Model 3 recall,  announced in May, involved the failure to display the unit of speed (miles per hour or kilometers per hour). The recall also included the 2018 – 2021 model years. 

In April, the 2017 – 2022 models of the same vehicle were recalled for a second time over a faulty pedestrian warning system. 

Another recall that Tesla issued in April was over airbags that may fail to deploy. The 2021 – 2022 Model X vehicles were part of this recall.

The repair

Tesla started deploying an over-the-air (OTA) software update to address the overheating of the CPU on May 3 at no cost to owners. It is not clear if the update has been rolled out to all affected cars as of the time of this publication.

Owners can expect to receive further communication from Tesla regarding the repair program by July 1, 2022.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Nearly 130,000 Tesla vehicles are included in this recall. To see if your vehicle is one of them, perform a Tesla recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Senamile NkosiTesla issues recall due to loss of access to essential functions
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