Tesla Model S and X Recalls for Failed Side Impact Protection

Tesla is recalling more than 120,000 model year 2021-2023 Model S and X vehicles, according to documents just released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The cabin doors can unlock during a crash. These Tesla models fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 214 “Side Impact Protection.”

The recall includes all model year  2021-2023 Model S vehicles produced between 3 February 2021, and 13 December 2023, and all Model X vehicles produced between 18 August 2021, and 14 December 2023.

Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge as required by US safety regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 17 February 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla’s number for this recall is SB-23-00-009. 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 about NHTSA recall 23V862.

Chronology

• On 6 December 2023, during routine validation side-impact testing, Tesla Engineering observed a cabin door unlatch after impact on the non-struck side.
• On 7 December 2023, Tesla Engineering identified that the test vehicle was operating without the lockout functionality that complies with FMVSS No. 214, S9.2.3(b)(1). Tesla Engineering further identified that the lockout functionality was inadvertently excluded from the affected vehicles with software release 2021.36 and later releases (up to release 2023.44.30, which contains the recall remedy). Software release 2021.36 began deploying to the affected vehicles on 30 September 2021.
• On 13 December 2023, a non-compliance with FMVSS No. 214, S9.2.3(b)(1) was verified and a voluntary recall determination was made on the same day.
• As of 14 December 2023, Tesla is not aware of any warranty claims or injuries relating to this safety defect.