Non-safety in numbers?
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling more than 48,000 2018-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The unit of speed (mph or km/h) may fail to display on the speedometer while in Track Mode. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, “Control and Displays.” Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla’s number for this recall is SB-22-00-008. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
In yet another safety recall, Tesla is buying back one 2022 Model X vehicle. A body structure reinforcement bracket was not installed at the second-row seat. As such, this vehicle fails to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 207, “Seating Systems” and 210, “Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages.” Tesla will replace the vehicle, free of charge. An owner notification letter is expected to be mailed June 6, 2022.
The subject population for the larger recall includes model year 2018-2022 Model 3 Performance vehicles with Track Mode, running firmware releases 2021.44.25 or later until 2022.12 as of April 14, 2022. Affected vehicles were identified based on vehicle manufacturing, configuration and firmware release records. When using Track Mode, which is designed to increase vehicle driving performance on closed circuit courses, the user interface (“UI”) on affected vehicles displays vehicle speed but not a unit of speed (i.e., mph or km/h).
FMVSS 101, S5.2, requires a unit of speed to be displayed. Because Track Mode may be used outside of closed-circuit courses, affected vehicles do not comply with FMVSS 101. Lack of a speed unit when using Track Mode may not adequately inform the driver of vehicle speed, which may increase the risk of a collision. Tesla is not aware of any crashes, injuries or fatalities related to this condition.
Chronology
- Beginning on December 23, 2021, Tesla began deploying firmware release 2021.44.25 over-the-air (“OTA”) to affected vehicles. Unintentionally, the release removed the speed unit from the user interface (“UI”) when using Track Mode.
- On March 18, 2022, a Tesla test team identified the removal of the speed unit and escalated it for reintroduction.
- On April 3, 2022, as part of the escalation, Homologation identified the removal as a potential noncompliance.
- Between April 3, 2022, and April 8, Tesla reviewed this condition, root cause, the scope of affected vehicles, and applicable regulations in affected markets.
- On April 11, 2022, a recall determination was made.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Tesla Recalls 48,184 Model 3s and 1, Yes 1, Model X
Non-safety in numbers?
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling more than 48,000 2018-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The unit of speed (mph or km/h) may fail to display on the speedometer while in Track Mode. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, “Control and Displays.” Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla’s number for this recall is SB-22-00-008. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
In yet another safety recall, Tesla is buying back one 2022 Model X vehicle. A body structure reinforcement bracket was not installed at the second-row seat. As such, this vehicle fails to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 207, “Seating Systems” and 210, “Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages.” Tesla will replace the vehicle, free of charge. An owner notification letter is expected to be mailed June 6, 2022.
The subject population for the larger recall includes model year 2018-2022 Model 3 Performance vehicles with Track Mode, running firmware releases 2021.44.25 or later until 2022.12 as of April 14, 2022. Affected vehicles were identified based on vehicle manufacturing, configuration and firmware release records. When using Track Mode, which is designed to increase vehicle driving performance on closed circuit courses, the user interface (“UI”) on affected vehicles displays vehicle speed but not a unit of speed (i.e., mph or km/h).
FMVSS 101, S5.2, requires a unit of speed to be displayed. Because Track Mode may be used outside of closed-circuit courses, affected vehicles do not comply with FMVSS 101. Lack of a speed unit when using Track Mode may not adequately inform the driver of vehicle speed, which may increase the risk of a collision. Tesla is not aware of any crashes, injuries or fatalities related to this condition.
Chronology
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.