Tesla has issued a recall for over 120,000 Model S and Model X vehicles in the United States. The reason behind the recall is a potential safety issue involving the doors unlocking and opening during a crash. In a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Tesla revealed that it discovered a cabin door unlatching after impact on the non-struck side during a routine crash test.
The problem arises from a software update released via over-the-air (OTA) technology for model years 2021-2023. This update, however, did not meet federal safety standards for side-impact protection, according to the NHTSA. The lockout functionality, which should prevent the doors from coming unlatched after a crash, was inadvertently excluded from the software updates issued by Tesla.
Fortunately, Tesla has clarified that it is unaware of any warranty claims or injuries related to this issue. Nonetheless, the automaker has taken quick action to ensure safety and compliance. This recent recall comes on the heels of Tesla's larger-scale recall of all 2.03 million vehicles on U.S. roads to address concerns with the Autopilot advanced driver-assistance system.
As part of its recall process, NHTSA plans to evaluate the software and hardware updates Tesla has introduced to remedy the Autopilot issue. The agency's Vehicle Research and Test Center in Ohio has acquired several Tesla vehicles for testing. In addition to analyzing the updates, NHTSA will also assess real-world incidents before and after the remedial measures have been implemented.
It's worth noting that Tesla has been proactively utilizing OTA updates to enhance its vehicles and introduce new features. However, this incident highlights the importance of thoroughly testing and ensuring compliance with safety standards before rolling out such updates. As Tesla addresses these concerns and carries out the necessary measures to rectify the door lock issue, customers can expect their vehicles to be safe and fully compliant with federal regulations.