Tesla Recalls Over 1.8 Million Vehicles Due to Hood Latch Detection Issue

Tesla has initiated a significant recall affecting over 1.8 million vehicles across multiple models and model years due to a potential safety issue with the front hood latch.

The recall involves the Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y vehicles produced between 2020 and 2024. The issue arises from a defect in the software responsible for detecting an unlatched hood, which could lead to the hood opening unexpectedly while driving and obstructing the driver’s view.

Details of the Recall

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that the recall includes specific model years of the Model S (2021-2024), Model 3 (2021-2024), Model X (2021-2024), and Model Y (2020-2024).

The problem stems from a software malfunction where the hood latch assembly may fail to detect when the hood is not properly closed. If the vehicle is driven with an unlatched hood, there is a risk that the hood could fly open, obscuring the driver’s vision and significantly increasing the likelihood of an accident.

Tesla has addressed the issue through an over-the-air software update. The update, identified as firmware release 2024.20.3, includes improvements that ensure the vehicle’s system correctly identifies when the hood is not securely latched and alerts the driver with a notification on the user interface.

Steps for Affected Vehicle Owners

Tesla owners can verify if their vehicle is affected by this recall by checking their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on either the Tesla VIN Recall Search or the NHTSA VIN Recall search tools. The affected vehicles have already received the software update automatically over-the-air, which resolves the issue without requiring any physical service appointment.

Owners can confirm their vehicle’s software version by navigating to ‘Controls’ > ‘Software’ on the touchscreen or checking the bottom of the vehicle’s home screen in the Tesla mobile app. Firmware release 2024.20.3 or any later version will provide the necessary fix and ensure the hood open state is detected and communicated to the driver.

Safety and Next Steps

Driving a vehicle with an unlatched hood poses a significant safety risk, as it can lead to the hood fully opening and obstructing the driver’s view, increasing the chances of a collision. Although Tesla has not reported any accidents or injuries resulting from this issue, owners must ensure their vehicles are updated with the latest software.

Owners experiencing issues with downloading or installing the software update are advised to consult Tesla’s Software Updates Support page. If problems persist, they should schedule a service appointment through Tesla’s customer service.

Tesla plans to notify all affected vehicle owners via mail by September 22, 2024. Owners can also visit the Tesla customer service website, or the NHTSA recalls website for further information and assistance.

How Tesla Owners Can Take Back Control

While recalls have been communicated to owners, many continue to be unhappy with the solutions provided by automakers. These problems have the potential to escalate into further action, just like this – underlining the importance of protecting consumer rights.

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About the Author
Sepehr Daghighian is a partner with CCA that is well-versed in all aspects of lemon-law litigation. A 2005 graduate of Loyola Law School, Mr. Daghighian has been practicing litigation throughout the state of California for over 13-years. In this time, Mr. Daghighian has advocated on behalf of California consumers in hundreds of lemon law cases throughout our great state. Mr. Daghighian has also successfully tried numerous such cases to verdict in both Federal and State Court.