Otodiva – Tesla recently announced a massive recall involving more than 1,8 million vehicles in the United States. This step attracted public attention because it was the largest recall carried out by Tesla since December 2023. But, What really happened?
According to a Reuters report released on Wednesday, 31 July 2024, This recall is caused by software failure to detect the hood not being properly locked. Tesla explains that a hood that is not completely closed can open completely when the vehicle is in motion. This can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of an accident, as stated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
This recall covers several Tesla vehicle models, including Models 3, Model S, Model X, and Model Y for production year 2021 until 2024. Model Y from year 2020 is also included in this recall list. Tesla revealed that this problem is related to hood latch parts manufactured by Magna Closures Co Ltd in China.
This problem was first detected from customer complaints regarding the engine hood opening accidentally on the Model 3 and Model Y in China in March. Following the complaint, Tesla immediately conducted an investigation and began making repairs to the hook components. Although similar incidents occur less frequently in Europe and North America, Tesla decided to check further in the area to ensure there were no potential similar problems.
After in-depth review, Tesla decided to implement this recall at the beginning of this month. Although the company reported three reports regarding this issue in the United States, There have been no reports of accidents or injuries related to the recall.
This recall is the largest since last December, when Tesla recalled almost its entire fleet of cars in the US, i.e. approx 2,03 million vehicles, to install new protections on its Autopilot system. This recall shows the large scale of the remedial steps Tesla must take.
Apart from technical problems, Tesla also faces challenges from slowing car sales. Last week, Tesla reported its worst quarterly profit margin in more than five years. This decline adds to concerns about car sales which are starting to experience slowing demand.
With this recall, Tesla is not only facing operational and reputational challenges, but must also address the financial impact of large vehicle recalls. It is hoped that these corrective steps can mitigate further risks and keep Tesla drivers safe on the road.
