[TusharK]

Tesla has recalled 8,17,000 vehicles in the USA over a 'seat belt reminder alert' issue. According to the company, the audible alert may not activate when a vehicle starts and the driver hasn't buckled up.



As per the details shared by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the models that failed a federal motor vehicle safety standard include the 2021-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3 and the 2020-2022 Model Y.

Tesla has confirmed that it was unaware of any crashes or injuries related to the issue. The carmaker will be releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update to rectify the issue.

Link to Team-BHP News

[akhilesh]

I think the word "recall" is being used very liberally here. It is literally an off the air software update. It is like your iPhone receiving a software update for a bug. Thats not Apple recalling iPhone.

[frewper]

Originally Posted by akhilesh

I think the word "recall" is being used very liberally here. It is literally an off the air software update. It is like your iPhone receiving a software update for a bug. Thats not Apple recalling iPhone.

Exactly my point. This aint a recall in any manner, A recall involves a huge exercise in intimating all the customers, setting up an appointment etc.

But essentially I think the problem lies in the way a "recall" by NHTSA. Since seat belt becomes a part of the safety standard, it can be officially termed as a recall.

A recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle, equipment, car seat, or tire creates an unreasonable safety risk or fails to meet minimum safety standards. Manufacturers are required to fix the problem by repairing it, replacing it, offering a refund, or in rare cases repurchasing the vehicle. The United States Code for Motor Vehicle Safety (Title 49, Chapter 301) defines motor vehicle safety as “the performance of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment in a way that protects the public against unreasonable risk of accidents occurring because of the design, construction, or performance of a motor vehicle, and against unreasonable risk of death or injury in an accident, and includes nonoperational safety of a motor vehicle.” A defect includes “any defect in performance, construction, a component, or material of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment.” Generally, a safety defect is defined as a problem that exists in a motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment that:

• poses a risk to motor vehicle safety, and
• may exist in a group of vehicles of the same design or manufacture, or items of equipment of the same type and manufacture.

Source: https://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/ru...ecalls-FAQ.pdf

Guess with the changing times, the agencies should introduce catergories of "Recall" which are minor/major etc. Obviously issues that can be resolved with just an OTA update is a very minor recall.

[FloatingCanvas]

Originally Posted by frewper

But essentially I think the problem lies in the way a "recall" by NHTSA. Since seat belt becomes a part of the safety standard, it can be officially termed as a recall.

Obviously issues that can be resolved with just an OTA update is a very minor recall.

Valid observation.

Also, I believe that there would be certain regulations/procedure to be followed to rectify the flaw/issue raised by NHTSA and without a formal "recall", the company would be liable to some lawsuits. So I expect Tesla to have intimated the owners of affected cars about this (and covered themselves with some legalspeak) asking them to be extra careful till the OTA update comes.