Tesla recalls Model S, X cars whose doors may open in crash

Tesla recalls Model S, X cars whose doors may open in crash

January 17, 2024 Bojan Popic

Austin, TX – January 17, 2024 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) is recalling 120,423 electric vehicles because their doors may inadvertently open if there is an accident. This augments the risk of injury for the occupants.

The following vehicles are affected by this recall:  

  • 2021 – 2023 Tesla Model S
  • 2021 – 2023 Tesla Model X   

Recall summary  

All listed vehicles have an electronically controlled latching mechanism that keeps the door in a closed position. Due to a software error, the latch may release and open the doors during a crash.

Recall risks

The doors that open on their own in a crash reduce the level of protection for the occupants, upping the risk of an injury.   

Other Tesla recalls

In December, Tesla recalled around 40% of cars it had ever sold due to autopilot issues.

The U.S. government auto safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is also evaluating whether the manufacturer needs to add an allegedly missing safety feature to prevent unintended acceleration while parking.

The repair

Tesla has already released a free over-the-air (OTA) software update to address the issue.

Owners should receive letters with more information by February 17, 2024.  

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Tesla open door recall affects more than 100,000 electric vehicles. 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 Model S, X cars whose doors may open in crash
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 
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