Tesla has “recalled” over 120,000 EVs due to a problem that allows the cabin doors to swing open during a crash.
In total, 120,423 Model S and X vehicles were identified as having a software defect that “permitted the cabin doors to disengage from the latched position during a crash,” according to a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
All affected Model S and X vehicles were produced in the U.S. between February 3, 2021, and December 13, 2023.
Tesla engineers first observed the defect on December 6 during “routine validation side-impact testing.” By the following day, Tesla engineers determined the test vehicle was operating without the lockout functionality and that this lockout functionality was inadvertently excluded from the affected vehicles with software release 2021.36 and later releases.
Tesla has already remedied the problem by releasing a free, over-the-air software update that fixes the locking mechanism and prevents the cabin doors from swinging open during a crash.
Tesla will notify owners of affected EVs via letter in mid-February. Owners may also contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752 if they have any further questions. Tesla’s recall number for this issue is SB-23-00-009, while the NHTSA’s recall number is 23V-862.
Tesla said it is not currently aware of any warranty claims or injuries relating to the defect.
This marks the second safety notice issued for Tesla owners in December, as reported by The Dallas Express.
Earlier this month, Tesla “recalled” over 2 million electric vehicles over the car’s autopilot feature lacking sufficient controls to prevent driver misuse. Unlike traditional recalls with gas-powered vehicles, Tesla’s recalls can be remedied via a software update.
