Tesla Recalls 1.85 Million Vehicles Over Hood Latch Concerns
Tesla has announced a recall affecting 1.85 million vehicles in the United States due to a potential safety issue with the hood latch. This recall is significant as it spans several models produced between 2020 and 2024, including the Model 3, Model S, Model X, and Model Y.
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Issue Details
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) highlighted that the problem lies in the hood latch assembly. In some cases, the latch may fail to detect an unlatched hood after it has been opened. If the hood is not properly secured, it could fly open while the vehicle is in motion, obstructing the driver’s view and significantly increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla began addressing the issue in mid-June by rolling out an over-the-air software update designed to detect an unlatched hood and alert the driver. Despite these efforts, the scale of the recall is considerable, reflecting the automaker’s cautious approach to ensuring vehicle safety.
Investigation and Tesla Recall Process
The hood latch issue first came to Tesla’s attention in March, following customer complaints in China regarding unprompted hood openings in Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. This prompted the company to initiate a thorough investigation, which included hardware recovery and in-service vehicle inspections.
Although incidents of the unlatched hood were less frequent in North America and Europe, the EV manufacturer conducted engineering studies in these regions as well. The decision to issue a recall was made after these studies confirmed the potential risk.
Recall Impact and Next Steps
Elon Musk’s company has reported three instances of the hood latch issue in the United States but has not linked any crashes or injuries to the defect. This recall marks Tesla’s most extensive since December, when over 2 million vehicles were recalled to enhance the Autopilot system’s safeguards.
Affected vehicle owners will receive notification letters by September 22. Tesla has provided a free over-the-air software update to address the hood latch detection issue. For further assistance, owners can contact Tesla customer service or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline.
As Tesla continues to address safety concerns proactively, this recall underscores the importance of stringent safety measures and the company’s commitment to resolving potential hazards in their vehicles.
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