- cross-posted to:
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- cross-posted to:
- [email protected]
Tesla is issuing a new recall for more than 9,000 of its Model X SUVs due to roof cosmetic trim pieces that could fly off while driving because they may have been adhered without primer. It’s the second such recall from the company to address the issue on the Model X, the first one issued in 2020, and it is again specific to early 2016 vehicle models.
Tesla often pushes software updates to address recalls, including a repeat Autopilot safety issue where it does not warn drivers effectively. But for the Model X roof issue, Tesla will need to actually take a gander at thousands of vehicles in person.
To remedy the Model X voluntary recall, Tesla Service will “test the roof trim adhesion and reattach the trim pieces as necessary” for free.
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The existance of this headline is great example for why software updates need a distinct name from “recalls”. It devalues the word that needs to be taken very seriously, a “recall” for a minor software fix is in literally no one best interest.
Also, fuck you Tesla.
There are a ton of recalls for inane things. The biggest thing is to differentiate between safety recalls and non safety recalls.
Even then safety recalls can be for seemingly minor things. My Outback had a recall because sometimes the radio would sometimes crash and take a minute to reboot. Because backup cams are mandated by federal law, and the backup camera uses the radio, if the radio doesn’t work then the car has a “major safety recall”.
All NHTSA recalls are, by definition, safety recalls. They’re literally called safety recalls and they are only issued for safety defects.
Strong disagree, a recall is a notice of defect which broken software qualifies as a defect. Call it a recall, let Tesla twist in the wind with their dogshit software.
More importantly, a recall is a legal process initiated by NHTSA that covers any sort of safety related defect. When they issue a recall there are very specific steps the manufacturers are legally mandated to perform.
This is why I hate when they called Tesla’s software updates recalls. It diminishes the actual recalls they have to do
“Recall” is a legal term defined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It means an issue was reported to them, they investigated it and determined that there is an unreasonable safety risk, or minimal safety standards have not been met. As part of that investigation they also work with the manufacturer to identify the range of vehicles involved. NHTSA then issues the formal recall notice, which legally requires the manufacturer to address the issue by notifying the impacted owners and either repairing or replacing the defect, or in extreme cases issuing a refund or buying back the vehicle. Again, this is all a legal process that NHTSA and the manufacturer must follow, and it makes no distinction between software and other components.
I’ve actually had a car with a rather significant software issue that I had to go to a dealer to fix. Long story short, the battery would die every few weeks and leave me needing a jump start. I replaced the battery twice and even the brand new batteries would die quite often. I eventually found two recall notices on my own that perfectly described the symptoms I was seeing. The recalls documented bugs in the firmware in the ECU that would randomly disable the alternator, preventing the battery from charging. I had to bring the car to a dealer to have them update the ECU firmware since that’s not something you can do yourself.
Is anyone else just gluing trim on like this? Yeesh.
Yes, gluing things is common in the auto industry.
Your windshield is glued.
I asked because the trim I’ve had to mess with on my car has had clips.
It really just depends on the parts. Some will be clips, others will be glue. Some will be parts glued together that then get put on with clips.
I really can’t speak to any specific trim piece, but automotive glue is very common in general.
