A staggering 2.2 million electric vehicles in the United States are affected by Tesla’s biggest recall. The recall is due to an issue with the font size of warning lights on the instrument panel.
The issue came to light during a routine audit conducted by the NHTSA. Upon discovery, Tesla undertook a thorough investigation, which included a review of manufacturing and software records, and voluntarily initiated the recall this week.
“Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash,” according to NHTSA’s notice.
The incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the brake, park, and anti-lock brake system warning lights, causing these vehicles to fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety standards.
TESLA RECALL: Tesla is recalling more than 2 million cars — nearly all of the cars that it has sold in the U.S. — due to the font of some of the dashboard warning lights being smaller than required by federal safety standards. https://t.co/mlub7KinL8 pic.twitter.com/tZtiIXBDWK
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) February 3, 2024
Despite the recall, Tesla has stated it is not aware of any crashes or injuries resulting from this issue. The recall applies to all Tesla vehicles sold between 2012 and 2024, including the Model S, Model X, Model 3, Model Y, and the Cybertruck.
To address this issue, Tesla has already begun issuing over-the-air software updates to affected vehicles. Notification letters are expected to be mailed to owners starting March 30.
This recall comes on the heels of another major recall issued by Tesla last December. That recall impacted over 2 million vehicles — almost every car Tesla has ever sold in the U.S. — following a two-year-long investigation by the NHTSA into Tesla’s driving automation features.
The NHTSA had reviewed 956 Tesla crashes where the manufacturer’s autopilot was initially alleged to have been in use. The agency then focused on a narrower set of 322 autopilot-involved crashes, including frontal impacts and impacts from potential inadvertent disengagement of the system.
Federal regulators concluded that the current configuration of Tesla’s driving automation systems could put drivers in hazardous situations. Though Tesla did not agree with the NHTSA’s findings, it issued an over-the-air software update to incorporate additional controls and alerts to further encourage driver responsibility when Autosteer is engaged.
Despite the challenges, Tesla remains committed to addressing potential safety issues swiftly and maintaining high standards for their products.
Image Source: NPR
