Tesla has issued two massive recalls of nearly half a million Model 3 and Model S electric sedans over issues related to the trunk and the frunk. The recalls affects all Model 3s built between 2017 and 2020, and certain Model Ss from between 2014 and 2021 model years. The automaker is not aware of any crashes, injuries, or deaths related to this condition.
According to the official documents from the NHTSA, the number of potentially involved models is 356,309 for the Model 3 produced between July 15 of 2017 and September 30 of 2020. Additionally, there are 119,009 potentially involved Model S units produced between September 16 of 2014, and December 23 of 2021. The estimated percentage rate for vehicles with the defect is 1 percent for the Model 3 and 14 percent for the Model S.
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More specifically, in the 2017-2020 Model 3, repeated opening and closing of the trunk lid may cause excessive wear to the coaxial cable inside the trunk harness that provides the rearview camera feed on the central touchscreen. The rearview camera malfunction will be prevented by installing a guide protector and a new cable harness if necessary.
Tesla will undertake the service free of charge after notifying the owners of the affected vehicles via mail starting from February 18, 2022. The 2021 Model 3 is not a part of the recall since it was equipped with a different design for the trunk harness.
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As for the 2014-2021 Model S, the defect has to do with the secondary frunk latch. On some vehicles, the latch assembly may be aligned too far rearward, potentially preventing latching of the secondary latch. This means that if the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the frunk may open without a warning, obstructing the driver’s visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla will inspect the vehicles for a potential misalignment of the latch assembly during fitment, and reposition it free of charge. The company will send notification letters to the owners of the affected vehicles on February 18, 2022, in order to schedule the service.
Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752 using the SB-21-17-008 code for the Model 3 and the SB-21-11-003 code for the Model S. Tesla stocks were down by 0.4 percent in premarket trading on Thursday, but this might not have to do with the recall.