Regulation

US regulator tells Tesla to recall over 1 million vehicles

Tesla has announced that it is recalling nearly 1.1 million vehicles in the US due to an issue with the software on its automatic windows. 

Documents that were released by the regulator and Tesla on Thursday said that the recall is necessary because the windows don’t react properly when detecting an obstruction. This means that the windows could close too fast and trap people’s fingers, increasing the risk of injury. 

According to the US regulator, the  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the fault, which was discovered by Tesla during its production testing in August, violates US safety standards and needs to be fixed. 

NHTSA said the vehicles failed to comply with the requirements of a federal motor vehicle safety standard on power windows.

Which Tesla cars are being recalled?

Tesla has recalled its cars so it can update its software which will fix the problem. The company told the NHTSA that it would be performing an over-the-air software update of the automatic window reversal system. 

The recall affects: 

  • 2017-22 Model 3 sedans
  • Some 2020-21 Model Y SUVs (sports utility vehicles)
  • Model S sedans
  • Model X SUVs

The company said vehicle owners will be notified by letter from 15 November onwards if their car is affected by the recall. Cars that were made after 13th September 2022 won’t need updating, as Tesla had updated the software by then to resolve the issue. 

Tesla also says that it’s not currently aware of any crashes, warranty claims, injuries, or deaths related to the car window error. 

Elon Musk commented on the decision to recall vehicles on Twitter, saying: “The terminology is outdated and inaccurate. This is a tiny over-the-air software update. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no injuries.”

Mr. Musk has previously criticized safety regulators over other recalls that Tesla has been required to carry out, including issues with rear-view camera, seat-belt reminders, sound-system software, and bonnet latches. 

Liz Daunton

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