Imagine driving down the road in your brand new Tesla, feeling the thrill of its electric power, when suddenly you hear a strange noise. You look over, and to your horror, you realize that your car door has unlatched and is swinging open. This alarming scenario is the reason why Tesla is recalling over 120,000 cars in the US. Engineers discovered a fault in the doors of certain models that could cause them to open during crashes, posing a serious safety risk. This recall comes just a week after Tesla’s largest-ever recall, highlighting the company’s ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety of its vehicles and passengers.
Tesla Recalls 120,000 Cars Over Faulty Doors During Crashes
Tesla, the leading electric vehicle manufacturer, has announced a recall of more than 120,000 cars in the United States due to faulty doors that could open during crashes. The issue affects certain models of the Tesla Model S and Model X vehicles. This recall comes just a week after Tesla’s largest-ever recall, which involved approximately 2 million vehicles in the US over an issue with the Autopilot feature. Despite these recalls, it is important to note that no warranty claims or injuries have been reported related to the faulty doors.
Issue Discovered in Certain Model S and Model X Vehicles
The issue with the faulty doors was discovered during testing of certain Model S and Model X vehicles. Engineers observed that the cabin door unlatched after impact on the non-struck side. This poses a significant safety concern as it means that the vehicles do not meet federal safety standards for side-impact protection. Tesla has been proactive in addressing this issue and has issued a recall to rectify the situation.
Lockout Functionality Inadvertently Excluded from Affected Vehicles
In a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Tesla revealed that the lockout functionality necessary to prevent doors from opening during crashes had been inadvertently excluded from the affected vehicles. This exclusion occurred through software updates that were released starting in September 2021. It is important to note that Tesla was not aware of any warranty claims or injuries relating to this condition.
Vehicles Do Not Meet Federal Safety Standards for Side-Impact Protection
As a result of the faulty doors, the affected Tesla vehicles do not meet federal safety standards for side-impact protection. This means that in the event of a collision, the doors may open, potentially causing harm to the occupants. The NHTSA has not yet evaluated Tesla’s solution to this issue but will likely do so in the near future. Tesla has taken steps to address the problem by issuing a free over-the-air software update.
No Warranty Claims or Injuries Reported
Despite the potential danger posed by the faulty doors, no warranty claims or injuries have been reported thus far. While this is certainly positive news, it underscores the importance of identifying and resolving such issues before they lead to accidents or injuries. Tesla’s commitment to customer safety is evident in their quick response and efforts to rectify the situation.
Free Over-the-Air Software Update Issued to Rectify the Situation
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Tesla has issued a free over-the-air software update to address the faulty door issue. The update aims to reinstate the lockout functionality, ensuring that the doors remain securely closed during crashes. Owners of the affected vehicles are set to be notified on February 17, 2024, regarding the software update and how to install it. Tesla’s over-the-air software update capability allows for efficient and convenient solutions to potential issues, without requiring owners to physically bring their cars to service centers.
NHTSA Has Not Evaluated the Company’s Solution
While Tesla has taken prompt action to address the faulty door issue, the NHTSA has not yet evaluated the company’s solution. The NHTSA received the software update on the vehicles it owns only a few days ago, and further evaluation and testing may be necessary to ensure the effectiveness of the fix. However, given Tesla’s commitment to safety and their track record of addressing recalls promptly, it is reasonable to expect that the software update will provide a sufficient resolution to the problem.
Recall Follows Previous Recall Over Autopilot Feature Issue
This recent recall of 120,000 vehicles follows a previous recall by Tesla involving approximately 2 million vehicles in the US. The previous recall was related to issues with Tesla’s Autopilot feature, which is the company’s driver-assistance system. The Autopilot feature had been found to not do enough to prevent drivers from misusing it, prompting the recall. Tesla has taken action to address this issue by offering a free software update to affected vehicles equipped with Autosteer.
2 Million Vehicles Recalled Due to Driver-Assistance System Misuses
Tesla’s previous recall affected around 2 million vehicles in the US and centered around the driver-assistance system. The recall was prompted by a two-year NHTSA investigation that found the Autopilot feature did not effectively prevent drivers from misusing the system. While Tesla’s Autopilot is designed to assist drivers and enhance safety, it is crucial for drivers to understand and use the system appropriately. Tesla’s free software update is aimed at improving the functionality and safety of the Autopilot feature.
In conclusion, Tesla’s recall of 120,000 vehicles due to faulty doors during crashes demonstrates the company’s commitment to customer safety. Despite the potential risk posed by the faulty doors, no warranty claims or injuries have been reported. Tesla’s quick response in issuing a free over-the-air software update to rectify the situation is commendable. While the NHTSA has yet to evaluate the effectiveness of the update, Tesla’s dedication to addressing recalls promptly gives confidence in their ability to provide a safe driving experience.
