Tesla has announced a major recall of nearly 1.8 million of their vehicles due to a potential safety issue with the hood latch. The recall applies mainly to its Model S and Model X cars, indicating a widespread issue that could potentially affect many of its customers worldwide.
The problem with the hood latch is that it may malfunction and become unlatched while the car is in motion. This could cause the hood to open unexpectedly, obscuring the driver’s vision and potentially leading to an accident.
The issue appears to be associated with the secondary hood latch system, which is designed to serve as a backup if the primary latch fails. According to the company, in some conditions, the secondary latch may not hold as intended if the primary latch is not properly secured.
In response to the issue, Tesla is planning to replace the front hood latch on all affected vehicles free of charge to ensure that they are fixed properly. They have also asserted that they will install an improved design of the latch that will eliminate the problem entirely.
Tesla found out about this problem during one of their regular quality checks, the so-called Field Quality Review. This shows that even with cutting-edge technology, regular quality checks are still crucial. And even though this is a huge recall, the swift reaction from Tesla indicates their commitment to vehicle safety.
The automaker has asked all affected owners to ensure their vehicle’s hood is securely latched before driving until the repair has been completed. If customers notice the hood is not fully closed, they should stop and close it before continuing to drive.
Consumers who believe they may own a Tesla car that has been affected by this recall are encouraged to contact the automaker or visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website for more information. Tesla will also be reaching out to all affected customers to inform them about the recall and the next steps.