Tesla Recalls More 1.8M EVs with Chinese Hood Latches

Tesla is recalling more than 1.8 million 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. The Magna Chinese-made hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood after the hood has been opened, according to documents made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Rates of occurrence were higher in China for reasons unknown, as compared to lower rates of occurrence in markets in Europe and North America,” Tesla told NHTSA.

Tesla has an over-the-air (OTA) software update for free as required by US regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 22 September 2024. Owners may contact Tesla at 1-877-798-3752 on recall iSB-24-00-012. Owners may also contact NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 or go to www.nhtsa.gov about NHTSA 24V554.

Chronology

• On 25 March 2024, Tesla began investigating customer complaints of unintended hood opening events on Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in China.
• On 28 March 2024, Tesla initiated latch hardware recovery and in-service vehicle inspection in China to investigate the complaints.
• In mid-April 2024, Tesla identified the condition affecting vehicles in China as latch switch deformation, which could prevent the customer from being notified of an open hood state.
• From mid-April 2024 through 7 June 2024, Tesla continued to recover and perform analysis on samples from the field in China to better understand the condition and latch commonalities across vehicle lines and regions. “Rates of occurrence were higher in China for reasons unknown, as compared to lower rates of occurrence in markets in Europe and North America,” Tesla told NHTSA.
  
• On 7 June 2024, Tesla initiated engineering studies in Europe and North America to inspect hood latch assemblies for switch deformation.
• On 17 July 2024, while all engineering studies continue, Tesla decided to voluntarily recall affected vehicles.
• As of 20 July 2024, Tesla has identified three warranty claims or field reports for U.S. vehicles that are related.

AutoInformed on

• Tesla Recalls 2.2 Million Vehicles Covering 13 Model Years
• Tesla Recalls 2,031,220 Autopilot Equipped Vehicles
• Tesla Recalls 48,184 Model 3s and 1, Yes 1, Model X
• Tesla Recalls Half of 2021-22 Model Xs for Bad Airbags
• Tesla Recalls Model S for Bad Side Curtain Airbags