Tesla has to recall roughly 2.2 million vehicles following findings from the NHTSA that its instrument panel warning text fonts are non-compliant. The NHTSA took notice of the non-compliant fonts during a routine safety audit on January 8. Although it is technically a safety recall, most owners of the affected vehicles shouldn’t need to bring them back to the dealership for a fix. Tesla can make the emergency text fonts compliant via an OTA update. If owners do not see their vehicle having installed the update they can contact Tesla directly. However, the list of affected vehicles includes most of Tesla’s models.
Affected Models:
- TESLA/CYBERTRUCK/2024
- TESLA/MODEL 3/2017-2023
- TESLA/MODEL S/2012-2023
- TESLA/MODEL X/2016-2024
- TESLA/MODEL Y/2019-2024
Tesla will be sending out letters to owners starting on March 30 indicating the NHTSA’s findings and informing them of the issue and its remedy. The NHTSA has posted its letter online, with excerpts listed below.
Per NHTSA:
“This letter serves to acknowledge Tesla, Inc.’s notification to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a safety recall which will be conducted pursuant to Federal law for the product(s) listed below. Please review the following information to ensure that it conforms to your records as this information is being made available to the public. If the information does not agree with your records, please contact us immediately to discuss your concerns.”
“Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, “Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems” and 135, “Light Vehicle Brake Systems.”
“Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 30, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla’s number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.”
Per the Associated Press (via Engadget) this latest recall, while being fixable via OTA updates like another in December involving its auto-pilot feature, is just one of many that have happened since 2022. The Associated Press also states that the NHTSA is continuing an investigation into reports of steering loss. The current count of complaints related to that issue stands at nearly 2,300 and involves a probe of over 334,000 vehicles.