Tesla has announced a significant recall affecting nearly 1.85 million vehicles in the United States due to a software malfunction that fails to detect unlatched hoods. This issue, which has the potential to obstruct the driver’s view and lead to accidents, has prompted swift action from the electric vehicle giant and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The recall affects Tesla’s popular Model 3, Model S, Model X, and Model Y vehicles manufactured between 2020 and 2024. The problem stems from a software failure that may not properly detect whether the front hood is securely closed. If the hood is not fully latched, it could unexpectedly fly open while driving, obstructing the driver’s view and significantly increasing the risk of a crash.
The NHTSA highlighted the severity of the issue, noting that even a brief obstruction could have serious consequences, particularly at high speeds. Despite the gravity of the situation, Tesla has reported no crashes, injuries, or fatalities related to the software defect. However, the company has received three reports of unintended hood openings in the U.S., which prompted further investigation and the subsequent recall.
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In response to the issue, Tesla began rolling out an over-the-air (OTA) software update on June 18, 2024, designed to detect when the hood is not properly latched and alert the driver. This proactive measure was intended to mitigate the risk before it could lead to any incidents on the road. Vehicles currently in production received the software update on July 15, 2024.
Tesla owners affected by the recall will receive notification letters starting September 22, 2024. The letters will provide detailed instructions on how to proceed with the necessary software update if it has not already been applied.
The recall’s origins can be traced back to reports from Tesla owners in China. In March 2024, Tesla began receiving complaints about unintended hood openings in certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. The issue was traced to a “latch switch deformation” in vehicles equipped with hood latches manufactured in China by Magna Closures Co Ltd. Tesla’s engineering teams launched a thorough investigation, which extended to vehicles in North America and Europe.
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While the problem has been more prevalent in China, it remains a concern for Tesla’s global operations. The company decided to issue a recall after conducting engineering studies and inspections of hood latch assemblies in the affected regions.
This recall marks yet another chapter in Tesla’s ongoing challenges with vehicle safety. The company has a history of recalls, with this being one of the largest since December 2023, when nearly 2.03 million vehicles were recalled to install new safeguards in Tesla’s Autopilot system. That recall followed reports of 20 crashes involving vehicles equipped with the updated Autopilot, leading to an NHTSA investigation that flagged “several concerns” about the recall process.
The latest recall comes when Tesla is grappling with declining profit margins and a slowdown in auto sales. The company recently posted its worst quarterly profit margin in more than five years, highlighting the broader challenges it faces in a competitive and rapidly evolving automotive market.
