This time Tesla is issuing the recall due to an assisted steering system issue
Tesla is voluntarily recalling 376,241 vehicles in the U.S. due to a critical issue with failing power-assisted steering systems. The recall, affecting certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles manufactured between 28 February and 11 October, 2023, was announced in a safety recall report posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website.
This recall specifically impacts vehicles equipped with an older software release, which has been identified as the cause of the issue. According to Tesla’s recall records, the problem stems from the printed circuit boards (PCBs) in the steering systems of the affected vehicles.
Moreover, these PCBs can become overstressed, potentially causing the power-assisted steering to fail, particularly when the vehicle rolls to a stop and then accelerates. If the power-assist steering fails, drivers would need to apply significantly more force to steer the vehicle, which could increase the likelihood of an accident.
Tesla has assured the NHTSA that, despite the severity of the recall, there have been no reported crashes, injuries, or fatalities associated with the power steering failures. As a solution, Tesla is offering an over-the-air software update to resolve the issue and prevent further complications.
This recall is also a continuation of a previous investigation and voluntary recall in China, where similar issues with the power-assisted steering systems were identified. Tesla has demonstrated its commitment to addressing safety concerns, with over-the-air updates being a key method for resolving many vehicle-related issues without requiring physical repairs.
On top of that, it’s important to note that Tesla has also been under investigation for other safety concerns related to its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) features. These advanced driver-assistance systems, which do not turn Tesla cars into fully autonomous vehicles, still require human supervision. A human driver must remain ready to take control of the vehicle at any moment, ensuring safety in case of system failure.
In addition to the recall, Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, has been involved in efforts to reduce the size of the federal workforce, including significant staff reductions at the NHTSA. These cuts have reportedly impacted the agency’s ability to conduct thorough investigations into safety defects, such as those found in Tesla vehicles.
According to reports, the NHTSA’s workforce has been reduced by about 10 percent, which could affect its capacity to oversee safety issues in the automotive industry. So how does this affect Malaysian Tesla models? Will the brand conduct a round of recalls here as well? Let’s wait and see.
We got all this from CNBC and their full article is linked here. Thank you CNBC for the information and images.
