Tesla is issuing an auto defect recall for more than 475,000 of its Model 3 and Model S electric cars to address rearview camera and trunk safety problems that increase the crash risk.
According to a Reuters news report, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been discussing another camera issue with Tesla, while investigating its driver-assist system, Autopilot.
Details of the Tesla Safety Problems and Recall
The model years affected by this recall range from 2014 to 2021, and the total number of recalled vehicles is nearly 500,000. NHTSA said Tesla is recalling 356,309 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles to address safety problems with the rearview camera and 119,009 Model S vehicles for front hood issues.
The opening and closing of the trunk lid on Model 3 sedans may damage the cable harness for the rearview camera, preventing the image from being displayed.
Tesla received 2,301 warranty claims and 601 field reports regarding U.S. vehicle issues. For Model S vehicles, latch problems may cause the front trunk to open without warning and obstruct the driver’s visibility, increasing the risk of a car accident. Tesla has said it does not know of any accidents, injuries, or fatalities related to these safety problems in Model 3 and Model S vehicles.
Other Issues with Tesla Vehicles
Recently, NHTSA said it was speaking with Tesla about side-view camera issues in some of its vehicles. CNBC had reported that Tesla was replacing defective repeater cameras in the front fenders of some vehicles manufactured in the U.S. without recalling the parts. NHTSA has also been looking into 580,000 Tesla vehicles over the automaker’s decision to allow video games to be played on car screens while they are in motion.
However, Tesla last week agreed to remove these gaming features. Back in February, the automaker agreed to recall 135,000 vehicles with touch-screen displays that could fail and potentially increase the risk of a crash. The federal agency also opened a formal investigation into Tesla’s Autopilot following a number of crashes involving Teslas and emergency vehicles.
A number of these safety problems are extremely concerning because they have the potential to cause serious or even catastrophic injuries – not just for the person in the Tesla vehicle, but also for others on the roadway including other motorists and pedestrians.
If these or other vehicle defects have injured you or a loved one, it is essential to understand that you have legal rights. An experienced auto liability defect lawyer can help you better understand your legal rights and options.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/tesla-recalls-over-475000-electric-vehicles-2021-12-30/
Brian Chase
Articles and blogs have been reviewed by legal in-house staff. Brian Chase is the managing partner of Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP. He is the lead trial lawyer and oversees cases handling dangerous and defective products that injure consumers. Brian is a top-rated injury attorney with numerous legal honors and awards for his work relating to auto defects and dangerous products. His firm has recovered over $1B for its clients. Brian is a frequent speaker for CAOC, Dordick Trial College and OCTLA, covering personal injury trial techniques.
