Tesla Issues Largest Recall in Company History: Over 3.5 Million Vehicles Impacted Globally by Hood Lock Defect

Tesla Issues Largest Recall in Company History: Over 3.5 Million Vehicles Impacted Globally by Hood Lock Defect
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Overview of the Tesla Recall in China

Tesla has initiated a significant recall in China, affecting more than 1.6 million vehicles across four of its electric models. This move follows the identification of a defect related to the hood locking mechanism, as reported by China's State Administration for Market Regulation.

Details of the Hood Lock Defect

The issue concerns the locking mechanism for the hood of the affected vehicles. Typically, drivers receive a notification if the hood is unlocked, but the defect prevents this alert. This flaw could potentially lead to drivers only realizing the hood is unsecured while driving, posing a safety risk.

Affected Models and Manufacturing Dates

The recall includes imported Model S and X vehicles, along with Model 3 and Y cars produced in China between October 15, 2020, and July 17, 2024. These dates mark the period during which the defective vehicles were manufactured, up until the issue was presumably identified and rectified.

Tesla’s Interim and Long-term Solutions

As an immediate measure, Tesla has rolled out a software update capable of detecting hood lock malfunctions and alerting drivers accordingly. In addition to the software fix, Tesla is offering free repairs for the affected vehicles to address the defect.

Global Impact and Comparison with Past Recalls

This defect is not confined to China. Last month, Tesla notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the U.S. of the same issue, leading to a recall of over 1.8 million cars manufactured between 2013 and 2024. Combined with the recall in China, more than 3.5 million Tesla vehicles are affected, marking this as the largest recall in the company's history.

While the defect might not be widespread, with Tesla reporting only three known instances of the issue, the scale of this recall surpasses previous ones. For instance, a recall last December affected just over two million Teslas due to issues with Autopilot technology, which was resolved with a software patch.

Despite the severity of the current recall, it is relatively minor compared to the recalls for the Tesla Cybertruck, which has faced multiple recalls since its launch in November. These include issues with acceleration pedals, detaching trims, and failing windshield wipers, making the situation for Cybertruck owners notably more challenging.