The Models S, X, and Y are the subjects of a pair of new recalls that Tesla must call, following a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigation. The issues are related to the seatbelts in one recall, and to the front-facing camera in the other.
First, the automaker will inspect 1,337 Models S, X, and Y from the 2023 model year. Tesla expects that around 80 percent of them were equipped with a front-facing camera that could be out of alignment.
The pitch angle of the cameras in these vehicles might be wrong, which could cause certain active safety features not to function. A problem with the camera could affect the automatic emergency braking system, the forward collision warning, and the lane keep assist functions, without warning the driver.
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Since Tesla’s vehicles do not have radar or LiDAR sensors, they rely entirely on their cameras to run the advanced driver assistance features. If a driver is expecting to have use of those features, their absence could lead to an accident.
To remedy the situation, Tesla will start getting in touch with customers on September 12, asking them to return their vehicle to a Tesla Service center. There, the pitch angle of the camera will be inspected and adjusted where necessary.
Seatbelts, Everyone!
The second recall only impacts the Tesla Models S and X, but includes vehicles built for the 2021 to 2023 model years. In all, some 15,869 vehicles may be impacted by this problem, which relates to the seatbelt pretensioner.
As part of its own investigation into this issue, prompted by two complaints received by NHTSA, Tesla found that a selection of vehicles received repairs while still at the factory. When the seatbelt anchor was being reattached to the pretensioner, certain front row belts may not have been reconnected to specification.
In vehicles where that is the case, there is a risk that the seatbelt might not perform as designed, increasing the risk that front row passengers will be hurt in an accident. Fortunately, Tesla is not aware of any injuries or crashes resulting from either fault that is being recalled. However, in the case of the seatbelt pretensioner, it has received 12 warranty claims relating to it.
Again, Tesla will start reaching out to customers on September 12, asking them to return their vehicle to a service center, where the front-row seatbelts will be inspected and tightened where necessary. All repairs will be made at no cost to the owners.
