Tesla Recalls Nearly 2.2 Million Vehicles in US Due to Small Warning Lights on Instrument Panel
Tesla, the renowned electric vehicle maker, is recalling almost all of its vehicles sold in the US due to a safety concern regarding small warning lights on the instrument panel. This recall, affecting nearly 2.2 million vehicles, was announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Friday, indicating increased scrutiny of the company’s operations.
The NHTSA has also upgraded its investigation into Tesla steering problems to an engineering analysis, which brings it one step closer to a potential recall. The agency discovered the issue during a routine safety compliance audit on January 8th. According to documents released by the NHTSA, the recall will be conducted through an online software update.
The recall encompasses various Tesla models, including the Model S (2012-2023), Model X (2016-2023), Model 3 (2017-2023), Model Y (2019-2024), and the Cybertruck (2024). The NHTSA found that the brake, park, and anti-lock brake warning lights have a font size smaller than what is required by federal safety standards. This can make it difficult for drivers to read critical safety information, thereby increasing the risk of accidents.
Tesla has already begun releasing the software update, and affected vehicle owners will be notified via letter starting from March 30th. While Tesla has identified three warranty claims potentially related to the problem, there have been no reports of crashes or injuries associated with this issue.
The news of this recall has had a negative impact on Tesla’s stock prices, which have been on a downward trend since July. Following the company’s fourth-quarter earnings report last week, shares fell another 2.7% in early trading on Friday, reaching levels not seen since May of the previous year.
This is not the first time that Tesla has faced pressure from the NHTSA. In December, the agency compelled the company to recall over 2 million vehicles to update software and address a defective system meant to ensure driver attention while using Autopilot. The recall was prompted by a two-year investigation into a series of crashes involving Tesla vehicles utilizing the partially automated driving system. Some of these crashes resulted in fatalities.
The NHTSA’s investigation found that Autopilot’s method of ensuring driver attention can be inadequate, leading to the foreseeable misuse of the system. As a result, the agency demanded that Tesla increase warnings and alerts to drivers. However, safety experts argue that while the recall is a positive step, it still places the responsibility on the driver and fails to address the underlying issue of Autopilot’s failure to react to stopped vehicles. They contend that Tesla’s driver monitoring system, which relies on detecting hands on the steering wheel, does not effectively prevent drivers from becoming distracted.
Tesla emphasizes on its website that its Autopilot and “Full Self-Driving” systems are not capable of fully driving the vehicles and that human drivers must be prepared to intervene at all times. Last year, the NHTSA also pressed Tesla to recall approximately 363,000 vehicles equipped with the “Full Self-Driving” system due to concerns about its behavior around intersections and failure to consistently adhere to speed limits.
The recent recall in China adds further challenges for Tesla. The company is recalling over 1.6 million Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y electric vehicles exported to China due to problems with their automatic assisted steering and door latch controls. The recall was announced by China’s State Administration for Market Regulation in early January, with Tesla planning to address the issues through remote upgrades.
Despite these setbacks, Tesla remains a significant player in the electric vehicle market. However, its position as the top seller of electric vehicles in the world was surpassed by China’s BYD in the fourth quarter of last year. BYD is currently the leader in the rapidly growing Chinese market.
The ongoing scrutiny and recalls highlight the challenges faced by Tesla in ensuring the safety and reliability of its vehicles. While the company continues to innovate and push for autonomous driving capabilities, it must address these concerns to regain consumer trust and maintain its position as a leader in the electric vehicle industry.