Tesla issued a recall for more than 125,000 cars due to a defect in the seat belt system. This problem could increase the risk of injury for drivers, according to federal guidelines from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Vehicles must have audio and visual cues that remind drivers to properly fasten their seat belts.
However, The NHTSA has reported that the affected Tesla vehicles had signals that activated at times that were not indicated.
This recall is in addition to the 2.5 million that the company has announced this year. In January, Tesla recalled certain 2023 Models Y, S and X due to a software issue that prevented the camera from displaying images when reversing.
In February, the company was forced to recall nearly 2.2 million vehicles over “incorrect font size” on the instrument panel, for brake, parking and anti-lock brake system warning lights.
In April, all 2024 model year Cybertrucks manufactured between November 13, 2023 and April 4, 2024 were recalled for defective accelerator pedals.
The situation worsens when considering Lending Tree’s analysis, published last year. According to this report, Tesla had the highest accident rate of any car in 2023, with 23.54 accidents per 1,000 drivers.
In the recent NHTSA report, Tesla indicated that as of May 28, The company identified 104 warranty claims that could be related to the seat belt issue. However, Tesla stated that he is not aware of any collisions, deaths or injuries associated with this condition.
In mid-April, Tesla discovered this issue during an internal compliance audit of the 2024 model year Tesla Model The company investigated the condition throughout the remainder of April and May. After completing the investigation at the end of May, Tesla decided to voluntarily recall the affected vehicles.
The models affected by this recall include the 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model
As a corrective measure, Tesla plans to send a free over-the-air (OTA) software update to customers with affected vehicles in June of this year.
This update will fix the issue by using the driver’s seat belt status and ignition status to activate seat belt reminders.
The implementation of these OTA software updates is not new for Tesla. On several occasions, the company has used this methodology to solve similar problems, due to the flexibility and speed it offers.
However, the multiple recalls have drawn the attention of public opinion and regulatory bodies, since they affect both the safety of drivers and the reputation of the brand.
The increase in recalls and the high rate of accidents indicated in the Lending Tree analysis have raised questions about the quality and safety of Tesla vehicles.
In particular, the relationship between advanced technology and security failures has been a recurring theme. While Tesla has positioned itself as a leader in the creation of electric vehicles and autonomous driving, safety problems persist, raising questions about the effectiveness of its technology.
Furthermore, although Tesla is known for reducing the environmental impact of transportation by promoting the use of electric vehicles, each recall is a reminder of the inherent challenges faced by any company trying to merge new technologies.
