Tesla Recalls 120K Vehicles Over Door Safety Issue

Tesla Addresses Safety Concerns with 120K Model S and Model X Recall

Tesla is recalling more than 120,000 Model S and Model X vehicles in the U.S. due to concerns about car doors unlocking and opening in the event of a crash, reported various media outlets.

The recall, prompted by a safety risk, was announced on Friday, pointing to an over-the-air software update for model years 2021-2023 that doesn’t meet federal safety standards for side-impact protection, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Unintended Unlatching – Tesla’s Admission of Oversight

In its filing with the NHTSA, Tesla admitted incidents of cabin doors unintentionally unlatching after impacts on the non-struck side during routine crash tests earlier this month. The company attributed the issue to the inadvertent exclusion of lockout functionality from software updates issued since late 2021, emphasizing no knowledge of injuries or warranty claims related to the problem.

Recall Following Recent Autopilot Concerns

This recall comes on the heels of Tesla’s extensive recall of all 2.03 million vehicles in the U.S., the company’s largest action to address a defective product. The comprehensive recall aimed to enhance safety features in the Autopilot advanced driver-assistance system, responding to concerns raised by the NHTSA.

NHTSA’s Evaluation of Tesla’s Software and Hardware Updates

The NHTSA is set to evaluate Tesla’s hardware and software updates for vehicles recalled due to Autopilot concerns. Utilizing its Vehicle Research and Test Centre in Ohio, the agency will assess real-world incident outcomes before and after the remedy rollout. Tesla’s over-the-air remedy is awaiting evaluation by the company, as it only received the software update on its vehicles a few days ago, according to the NHTSA.