Tesla Recalls 1.85 Million Vehicles Over Software Glitch Causing Hood Alert Failures
July 30, 2024Tesla has initiated a significant recall affecting approximately 1.85 million vehicles due to software issues that may prevent drivers from receiving alerts when the hood is unlatched.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirmed that the recall impacts various models, including the Model 3, Model S, Model X, and Model Y, produced between 2020 and 2024.
To mitigate the issue, Tesla began rolling out over-the-air software updates on June 18, 2024, designed to detect when the hood is open.
The recall was prompted by customer complaints, particularly from China, where reports of hoods opening unexpectedly were first documented in March 2024.
By mid-April, Tesla identified the root cause of the problem as latch switch deformation, which was found to occur more frequently in vehicles sold in China compared to those in Europe and North America.
Despite the recall, there have been only three reported incidents in the U.S. related to this issue, with no crashes or injuries reported.
This recall is notable but still smaller than a previous recall in December 2022, which affected over 2 million vehicles.
Affected vehicle owners will receive notification letters regarding the recall, which are scheduled to be mailed out on September 22, 2024.
This recall is part of a broader trend, as Tesla has faced multiple recalls this year for various issues, including a recent recall for Cybertrucks due to windshield wiper problems.
This incident marks Tesla's second-largest recall to date, following a December recall that involved nearly 2 million vehicles due to issues with its self-driving software.
Tesla's recalls often involve software updates to resolve issues, although some cases, like the Cybertruck recalls, necessitate service center visits.
Summary based on 15 sources
Get a daily email with more US News stories
Sources
Insider • Jul 30, 2024
Tesla faces fresh headache as it recalls 1.8 million vehicles over hood problemsMashable • Jul 30, 2024
Tesla recalls 1.8 million cars over hood issueLos Angeles Times • Jul 30, 2024
Tesla recalling more than 1.8 million vehicles over hood issue - Los Angeles TimesArs Technica • Jul 30, 2024
Tesla recalls 1.8 million cars because their hoods can open while driving