Tesla issues voluntary recall of 123,000 Model S vehicles
Tesla issues voluntary recall of 123,000 Model S vehicles
123,000 Model S vehicles are affected by this voluntary recall, with the dangers being limited to cars used in cold climates, especially when calcium and magnesium-based road salts are frequently used. These conditions can cause the power steering bolts on pre-April 2016 Tesla Model S vehicles to corrode and weaken, with failure resulting in the loss of power steering. Without power steering, Tesla users will need to be a lot more forceful when steering their cars, making the vehicle a lot more challenging to drive at low speeds or when parking.  Â
While this issue is specific to select environmental conditions, Tesla is willing to replace the steering bolts of all affected vehicles, just in case these vehicles are ever used in affected areas across the globe. This incident has resulted in Tesla’s largest recall to date, though the issue does not present any immediate danger to most Tesla users. Â
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   We have observed excessive corrosion in the power steering bolts, though only in very cold climates, particularly those that frequently use calcium or magnesium road salts, rather than sodium chloride (table salt). Nonetheless, Tesla plans to replace all early Model S power steering bolts in all climates worldwide to account for the possibility that the vehicle may later be used in a highly corrosive environment
If the bolts fail, the driver is still able to steer the car, but increased force is required due to loss or reduction of power assist. This primarily makes the car harder to drive at low speeds and for parallel parking, but does not materially affect control at high speed, where only small steering wheel force is needed.
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Tesla’s stock has already seen a considerable decrease in price this month after a deadly Model X crash occurred in California, where some suspect that the vehicle’s Autopilot mode was engaged at the time of the accident.Â
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