Yet another recall has been issued in Australia for Tesla vehicles, the third recall notice this month alone.
This latest recall is over faulty rear lights in Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. According to the notice, due to a software error, the tail lamps on one or both sides may not illuminate as intended. If this occurs during dark conditions, the traffic behind will have reduced visibility and may not be able to identify the vehicle.
Authorities warn that if unchecked, these faulty Teslas could result in an accident “causing serious injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users”.
The issue affects 15,914 in Australia sold in 2022.
Thankfully, this recall is addressed by updating the vehicle software, which does not require the customer to schedule a service appointment. If your vehicle is running software version 2022.40.100 or 2022.40.1 or later, your vehicle is not subject to this issue. You can confirm your vehicle’s software version by tapping ‘Controls’ > ‘Software’ on your touchscreen.
It’s the second recall in as many weeks for Tesla, with another issued in Australia for Tesla Model S and Model X vehicles over a power steering fault that may, again, increase the “risk of an accident, causing serious injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users.”
The recall on November 16 2022, affects more than 1,000 Tesla owners with Model S and Model X vehicles sold between 2017 and 2020.
Due to a recently changed software calibration issue, the Department of Transport says that the Electronic Power Assist Steering system (EPAS) may not operate as intended and may result in a reduced or total loss of power steering assist. This would then require greater steering efforts from drivers, particularly at low speeds.
When the affected Tesla experiences a reduced or lost power steering assist, it will trigger an audio and visual alert on the instrument cluster.
On this recall, the Department of Transport advised vehicle owners that “firmware release 2022.36.5 will begin deploying to affected vehicles” to fix the issue. Owners of affected Tesla models can also contact their authorised Tesla dealer to book an appointment to have the firmware updated free of charge.
If your Tesla is already equipped with firmware release 2022.36.5 or later, then there is no further action needed.
The same power steering issue was the cause of recalls overseas, affecting over 40,000 Tesla vehicles.
The previous recall notice issued this month involved 326 Model 3 vehicles with a seatbelt issue.
The biggest Tesla recall in Australia, however, occurred back in January, which affected Tesla Model S’ sold between 2014-2020 and Tesla Model 3 sedans sold between 2017-2020 for two separate faults.
Much like the faults experienced overseas at the time, the recall notice for the Telsa Model 3 was due to the routing of the rear-view camera cable, which may have been damaged by the constant opening of the trunk lid. The damage would then result in the rear-view camera not displaying.
For the Tesla Model S recall, there was a manufacturing issue with the secondary bonnet latch.
This article has been updated since it was first published.