Tesla recalls 300K vehicles over taillight software glitch

Recall covers certain 2020 to 2023 Model Y SUVs and 2023 Model 3 sedans

A Tesla charger is seen Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022, in Freeport, Maine. Tesla released details of its quarterly financial performance Wednesday in a challenging environment, with inflation up sharply and the U.S. trying to slow the economy through aggressive interest rate hikes that make car loans more expensive.(AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) (Robert F. Bukaty, Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

LOS ANGELES – Tesla is recalling more than 300,000 vehicles in the U.S. because a software glitch can make taillights go off intermittently, increasing the risk of a collision.

Tesla said in documents posted Saturday by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the glitch may affect one or both taillights on certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. Brake lamps, backup lamps and turn signal lamps are not affected by the software problem, the company said.

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The automaker said it is releasing an online software update that will fix the problem.

The recall covers certain 2020 to 2023 Model Y SUVs and 2023 Model 3 sedans. That amounts to potentially 321,628 vehicles.

Tesla became aware of the problem last month after receiving complaints, primarily from customers outside the U.S., that their vehicle taillamps were not illuminating. The company completed an investigation into the problem earlier this month.

Owners will be notified by letter starting Jan. 14. The company says in documents that vehicles in production and those set for delivery got the update starting Nov. 6.

As of Nov. 14, Tesla had received three warranty claims due to the problem, but was not aware of any related crashes or injuries related to the glitch, according to the documents.


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