Tesla Recalls 48K Model 3 Performance Sedans

Tesla recalled 48,000 Model 3 sedans due to a problem where the speedmeter may disappear in track mode.

Looks like another recall for Tesla, as the company is recalling approximately 48,000 Model 3 Performance vehicles from the 2018 through 2022 model year in the United States and 14,684 cars in China.

The action is because they may not display the speedometer while in “Track Mode,” according to documents released Friday. This does not meet federal motor vehicle safety standards, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Tesla says it is not aware of any crashes, injuries or fatalities related to this error.

The problem stems from a December firmware update that inadvertently removed the speed from the Model 3’s user interface. Tesla will fix the issue through an over-the-air software update.

Tesla also recalled one 2022 Model X on Friday, as the automaker said a second-row seat bracket was not installed correctly.

Tesla says it is not aware of any crashes, injuries or fatalities related to this error.

Just the latest of many recalls

Tesla recalled nearly as many vehicles as Ford, which built six times the number of cars.

The increasing number of recalls is a result of increasing pressure from NHTSA. With 10 recalls affecting 2.1 million vehicles in 2022, only Ford Motor Co. issued more. But considering the two company’s difference in annual volume, Ford sold 21.9 million vehicles in 2021 while Tesla sold 313,400 during the same period, the number of recalls per Tesla is high. 

In February, Tesla recalled more than 578,000 vehicles because its Boombox function may “obscure” the vehicle’s Pedestrian Warning System sounds. The Boombox function allows users to play preselected sounds or one of their choosing through speakers designed for the warning system, aka PWS. Federal rules mandate the sound for the safety system must be distinct from any other coming from the vehicle.

That same month Tesla recalled Models S, X, 3 and Y models, 817,143 vehicles, to fix the seat belt reminder chimes that didn’t alert drivers that were not buckled up. Another recall during February affected nearly 54,000 vehicles equipped with the company’s full self-driving technology, which didn’t come to a complete stop at four-way intersections.

In December, it recalled 475,318 Model 3 and Model S sedans to fix defects involving the latches of their frunks, or front trunks. The problem with the Model 3 could cause the vehicle’s backup camera to fail, according to Tesla. With the Model S, the latches could unexpectedly release while driving, causing the hood to fly open.

Also in December, Tesla recalled more than 475,000 vehicles to address problems with rearview cameras and trunks, as well as deactivated a feature that has allowed its vehicle owners to play videogames while driving.

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