Recall of Thousands of Tesla Electric Vehicles
Tesla has announced a recall of nearly 13,000 electric vehicles due to a potential malfunction that could lead to a sudden loss of power while driving. This problem concerns battery packs in certain models.
Problem Details
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the malfunction is related to the battery pack contactors, which may fail. This can lead to a complete loss of driving power without warning the driver, increasing the risk of an accident on the road.
Scale of the Problem
Although the recall covers thousands of vehicles, only approximately 1% of them have the defect. However, the company is taking preventive measures to prevent potential incidents.
According to the safety recall report, the vehicles have a battery pack contactor with an InTiCa solenoid. The latter may “suddenly open” due to a poor coil connection, which can lead to a loss of driving power.
Investigation and Root Cause Identification
Tesla began an investigation in August after receiving several reports of vehicles that could not shift from park to drive mode. The investigation showed high coil resistance on the battery pack contactor, forcing the company to replace the component.
Incident Statistics
The company analyzed the contactors and ultimately identified them as the cause of the problem. To date, Tesla is aware of 26 field reports and 36 warranty claims related to this issue. Fortunately, no accidents or injuries have been reported.
Problem Resolution Process
To resolve the issue, customers will need to bring their vehicles to a Tesla service center, where technicians will replace the contactor with one that does not contain an InTiCa solenoid. Notification letters are scheduled to be mailed on December 9, and repair work will be performed free of charge.
This recall occurs against the backdrop of other challenges for the electric vehicle manufacturer, including changes to clean vehicle tax incentives. Problems with electrical components in cars are becoming increasingly relevant with the growing popularity of electric vehicles, requiring manufacturers to improve quality control systems and respond more quickly to potential malfunctions. Timely detection and resolution of such problems demonstrates the importance of proper monitoring mechanisms in the automotive industry, especially when it comes to the safety of drivers and other road users.