In a surprising turn of events, Tesla has issued a recall for over 120,000 vehicles due to potential safety risks associated with unlocked doors during a crash.
The revelation came to light after a routine crash test conducted on December 6, prompting the electric car manufacturer to take swift action in collaboration with safety inspectors.
According to a document from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall impacts certain Model S and X automobiles manufactured in the United States between 2021 and 2023. The fault, if left unaddressed, could result in doors opening during a collision, posing an increased risk of harm to occupants.
Tesla has assured the public that it is not aware of any injuries or claims arising from this issue. The company detected the fault promptly and has already implemented an over-the-air (OTA) software update for affected vehicles. Owners of the impacted cars are expected to receive notification letters by February 17, 2024, providing them with instructions on how to proceed.
This development comes on the heels of Tesla's recent decision to limit the usage of its Autopilot system on nearly two million vehicles in the United States. The move followed a comprehensive two-year investigation by US safety officials into almost 1,000 crashes involving the activated Autopilot feature.
The NHTSA, in its findings, expressed concerns about the Autopilot system being potentially misused in certain risky circumstances where Tesla's technology might struggle to navigate the road accurately. This misuse could lead to a false sense of confidence among drivers, raising questions about the system's reliability in critical situations.
