Tesla has issued a vehicle defect recall for about 9,537 of its vehicles in the United States including 9,136 Model X vehicles from 2016 and 401 Model Y vehicles from 2020. According to a report in The Verge, the issues were filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Tesla intends to recall these vehicles for testing and repairs.
Details of the Recall
Most of the auto safety recall affects 9,136 Model X vehicles from the 2016 model year. According to the NHTSA report, the cars may have had cosmetic appliques applied without a primer. This could cause the trim on the car’s roof to fall off while driving at high speeds. Tesla says it will apply a retention test to the potentially affected vehicles and reapply primers and adhesives so the trim attaches properly.
This is not the first time roof fixtures have caused problems for Tesla. In one recent incident, a Model Y vehicle lost its entire roof because of a poorly applied seal although the failure seems to not have been related to issues that spurred these recalls. A second similar recall was issued for 401 Model Y vehicles from the 2020 model year, which may have loose bolts in the front upper control arm that connects to the car’s steering knuckles.
Failure to properly tighten the bolts could lead to the arm detaching from the steering knuckles, negatively impacting the driver’s ability to steer the vehicle. Tesla has also had steering problems in the past. Due to a power steering issue, the automaker recalled 123,000 vehicles from its Model S line. Tesla reported to the NHTSA that it is aware of only three vehicles affected by loose bolts. The automaker has also said it is unaware of any accidents or injuries linked to either recall. Tesla has said it will test and repair the affected vehicles at no cost to consumers.
Protecting Your Rights
Such auto defects can cause significant roadway hazards. For example, if a roof comes loose from the vehicle and lands on the roadway, it could prove extremely dangerous for other drivers and road users, especially motorcyclists and bicyclists. Debris on the road could also startle drivers and cause car accidents.
If a vehicle defect has injured you or a loved one, you may be able to claim compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, cost of rehabilitation, pain and suffering and emotional distress. An experienced auto defect lawyer can advise injured victims and their families regarding their legal rights and options.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2020/11/25/21719586/tesla-recall-2016-cars-model-x-y-manufacturing-issues
