Tesla has issued a recall affecting 694,304 vehicles, including the Model 3, Model Y, and the highly anticipated Cybertruck, due to a potentially dangerous fault in the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).
This issue could fail to warn drivers of low tire pressure, increasing the risk of accidents.
What Models Are Affected?
The recall covers the following Tesla vehicles:
- 2024 Cybertruck models.
- 2015 to 2017 Model 3 vehicles.
- 2020 to 2025 Model Y vehicles.
The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) detailed the fault in an official letter, explaining that the TPMS warning light might not stay illuminated between drive cycles, potentially leaving drivers unaware of dangerously low tire pressure.
The Safety Risk
According to the NHTSA’s statement:
“Driving with improperly inflated tires increases the risk of a crash.”
At the time of writing, Tesla has reported no crashes, injuries, or fatalities linked to this defect. However, the recall highlights ongoing challenges with Tesla’s quality control across its vehicle lineup.
How Tesla Will Fix the Issue
Tesla plans to address the TPMS issue through a free software update, ensuring affected vehicles receive the fix promptly without requiring hardware changes.
- Owner Notification: Tesla will notify impacted owners via letter starting February 15, 2025.
- Resolution: The software update will restore the TPMS’s functionality, ensuring drivers are alerted to low tire pressure.
Tesla’s Recall History
This isn’t Tesla’s first encounter with large-scale recalls. The company has faced a series of issues across its lineup in recent years:
- July 2024: 1.85 million vehicles recalled due to a software issue that failed to detect an unlatched hood while driving.
- May 2024: Over 125,000 vehicles recalled for faulty seat belts.
- February 2024: 2 million vehicles recalled due to font-size errors in warning signals.
- Cybertruck Recalls: The 2024 Cybertruck alone has been recalled seven times, with the most recent recall occurring just last month.
A Closer Look at the Cybertruck
The Cybertruck, Tesla’s futuristic electric pickup, has been particularly problematic since its release.
Despite its bold design and promises of advanced features, the Cybertruck has faced recurring issues, including software bugs and safety faults.
Tesla’s rapid production scale-up and innovative technologies have made it a trailblazer in the EV market, but these recurring recalls highlight the challenges of maintaining quality while meeting high production demands.
What Tesla Owners Should Do
If you own one of the affected Tesla vehicles:
- Wait for Notification: Tesla will send recall notices starting February 15, 2025.
- Schedule the Update: The fix will be delivered as a free over-the-air software update, minimizing inconvenience for owners.
- Check Your Tire Pressure: Until the update is complete, drivers should manually monitor their tire pressure to avoid potential risks.
Tesla’s Growing Pains
Tesla’s latest recall underscores the challenges of scaling production while ensuring consistent quality.
While the brand remains a leader in the EV industry, these recalls may impact consumer confidence as competitors close the gap in innovation and reliability.
As Tesla addresses these issues, the company’s ability to maintain its reputation for cutting-edge technology will be closely watched by industry analysts and loyal customers alike.
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Dylan Gow
Dylan Gow
