Tesla recalls more than 1.6 million cars
- Tesla is recalling more than 1.6 million vehicles in China
- The recall is over defects in the vehicles’ steering software
- It follows another recall in the US last month, where almost two million vehicles were recalled because of safety concerns related to the Autopilot feature
Published on Jan 09, 2024 at 5:09 PM (UTC+4)
by Adam Gray
Last updated on Jan 11, 2024 at 1:08 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
In another blow for the EV maker, Tesla has announced it’s recalling more than 1.6 million cars in China.
Just last month, the company recalled more than 2 million vehicles in the US owing to safety concerns relating to the autopilot feature.
This time it’s a different problem – but it’s equally, if not more, concerning.
READ MORE! This surreal footage shows what Tesla Autopilot sees whilst driving
Tesla is recalling cars in China over defects in the vehicles’ steering software.
The issue affects the brand’s S, X, 3 and Y models, as well as 7,358 imported vehicles manufactured between 26 October, 2022 and 16 November, 2023.
That brings a grand total of more than 1.6 million EVs being recalled in China.
Apparently, the vehicles were found to have issues with the steering software and ‘door unlock logic controls’.
Tesla Motors, based in Beijing and Shanghai, will use remote upgrades to fix the problems and has called for a full vehicle recall, China’s regulator, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), stated.
The good news is that, the vehicles won’t need to be taken to dealerships or to garages to be fixed.
As for the reasoning behind the recall, SAMR highlighted the safety concerns associated with the function.
The SAMR explained: “For vehicles within the scope of this recall, when the automatic assisted steering function is turned on, the driver may misuse the level two combined assisted driving function, increasing the risk of vehicle collision and posing a safety hazard.”
The SAMR continued: “In the event of a collision, the non-collision side door latch may detach from the latch, leaving the door in an unlocked state, posing a safety hazard.”
“Users are advised to drive the vehicle with caution before the vehicle recall is implemented; after receiving the recall software update notification, upgrade the vehicle software as soon as possible.”
This isn’t the first time there’s been a Tesla recall in China, either.
Back in 2022, nearly 128,000 Tesla cars were recalled in the country over a ‘rear motor inverter defect’.
What’s more, customers have discovered further issues with their vehicles, with some owners reporting incidents of the wheels coming off while driving.
One owner claims he had to pay $14,000 just one day after driving his new Tesla Model Y.
Apparently, the vehicle’s front-right suspension collapsed and parts of the car ‘loudly scraped the floor’ as he tried to bring the vehicle to a stop.
Another owner was reportedly locked out of his vehicle where he had to pay $26,000 for a new battery.
Adam Gray
Adam Gray is an experienced motoring journalist and content creator based in the United Kingdom. Using his media accreditation with manufacturers’ press offices, Adam test drives the latest cars and attends new vehicle press launches, producing written reviews and news pieces for supercarblondie.com. Before joining the Supercar Blondie team, Adam was Motoring Editor for Portfolio North magazine, North East Motoring Editor at Reach plc, and provided motoring content on a freelance basis to several lifestyle and business publications in the North of England. When he’s not behind the wheel of the latest car, Adam can be found at his local rink playing ice hockey or supporting his beloved Middlesbrough FC.
