Tesla Recalls nearly Half a Million Cars

Paul Myles

TU-Editor

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31st December 2021

Tesla is to recall 475,000 of its vehicles sold in the US, nearly as many as it delivered to the market for the entirety of 2020.

As reported by the BBC, documents filed with US regulators say 356,309 vehicles will be recalled because of potential rear-view camera issues affecting the 2017-2020 Model 3 Tesla. A further 119,009 Model S vehicles will also be recalled because of potential problems with the front trunk, or boot.

While vehicle recalls are common among traditional automakers, the BEV maker is now experiencing the downsides of automotive mass production where its responsibilities do not end with the products leaving the forecourt.

A Safety Recall report, submitted this month to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), says that around 1% of recalled Model 3s may have a defective rear-view camera. It adds that over time “repeated opening and closing of the trunk lid” may cause excessive wear to a cable that provides the rear-view camera feed, says a report submitted by Tesla to the in the US on the 21 December.

If the wear causes the core of the cable to separate “the rear-view camera feed is not visible on the center display”, the report notes. The loss of the review camera display may “increase the risk of collision”, it adds.

Meanwhile the Model S recall involves vehicles manufactured between 2014-2021, some of which may have a problem with a “secondary latch” on the front trunk, or boot. In another Safety Recall report, also filed on 21 December, Tesla notes the fault could mean that, if the primary latch is inadvertently released, the front trunk “may open without warning and obstruct the driver’s visibility, increasing the risk of a crash”. Around 14% of recalled Model S vehicles may have the defect, the report adds.

In both cases, the reports state that “Tesla is not aware of any crashes, injuries, or deaths” relating to the potential faults. It appears under the intensifying scrutiny the company is facing with NHTSA investigators into accidents attributed to its Autopilot autonomous driving features, Tesla is trying to head-off any further bad press.

Last week Tesla agreed to make changes to its Passenger Play feature, which allows games to be played on its touchscreen while the car is in motion. It took action after an investigation was launched by the NHTSA considered possible issues with driver distraction. The feature will now be locked and unusable while the car is moving.

— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_