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Tesla Model S Recalls

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Recall Date Problem Area Recall Text
02/28/18 Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling all 2013 model s vehicles equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Tesla will notify owners, and tesla service centers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge. the recall is expected to begin in march 2018. owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. tesla's number for this recall is sb-18-20-001.

Owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
09/12/17 Tesla motors, inc. (tesla) is recalling all 2012 model s vehicles. these vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Tesla will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag, free of charge. the recall began september 12, 2017. owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.

Owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
03/06/18 Brakes and Traction Control Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain 2016 model s and model x vehicles. the electric parking brake calipers have an internal gear that may be improperly manufactured, possibly resulting in the gear fracturing during parking brake application or release.

If the gear breaks during parking brake release, the vehicle will not be able to be moved. if the gear breaks during parking brake application, the parking brake may not adequately hold the vehicle, potentially resulting in the vehicle rolling, increasing the risk of a crash.

Tesla will notify owners, and service centers will replace the electric parking brake calipers, free of charge. a remedy is currently unavailable. interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed june 8, 2017. owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. tesla's number for this recall is sb-17-33-002.

Owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
12/31/69 Suspension and Steering Tesla, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2016 tesla model s vehicles equipped with bosch steering racks. the aluminum bolts that attach the power steering gear assist motor to the gear housing may corrode and fracture causing a reduction or complete loss of power steering assist.

Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.

Tesla will notify owners, and tesla service centers will replace the steering gear mounting bolts and add a corrosion-preventative sealer, free of charge. owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. tesla's number for this recall is sb-18-32-002.

Owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
12/14/15 Other Tesla motors, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 model s vehicles manufactured may 31, 2012, to november 12, 2015. the affected vehicles are equipped with driver or front passenger seat belts that may be improperly connected to the outboard lap pretensioner.

If the seat belt is not correctly attached to the pretensioner, it may not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

Tesla will notify owners, and service centers will inspect the driver and front passenger seat belts, correcting their connection, as necessary, free of charge. the recall began on december 14, 2015. owners may contact tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. tesla's number for this recall is sb-15-20-002.

Owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
06/19/13 Other Tesla motors, inc. (tesla) is recalling certain model year 2013 model s electric vehicles manufactured may 10, 2013, through june 8, 2013. an improper method for aligning the left hand seat back striker to the bracket may have weakened the weld between the bracket and the frame of the vehicle.

In the event of a crash, the left hand seat back may not stay mounted, increasing the risk of injury to passengers.

Tesla will notify owners, and tesla service centers will inspect the left hand second row strikers. tesla will add additional mounting hardware to ensure a proper joint between the bracket and the frame, free of charge. the recall began on june 24, 2013. owners may contact tesla at 1-650-681-5000.

Owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

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Tesla Model S Recalls

Some things are often misunderstood about recalls and technical service bulletins (TSBs). Plus a disclaimer.

  1. Recalls do not have to be issued only because something is prone to failure. NHTSA (a government agency) can only require a recall if a failure will affect safety, emissions, fuel economy, or compliance with some other regulation or law. Manufacturers can voluntarily recall cars for problems that do not affect these, though.
  2. Recalls often apply to only some cars of a specific model year, rather than all of them. You should receive a letter from the manufacturer if your car has been recalled. You can also check with the dealer, which will know which (if any) recalls pertain to your car.
  3. The primary purpose of TSBs is to inform dealers about known problems with a car and how to fix them. They are not the same as recalls. As with recalls, TSBs often only apply to some cars, not the entire model year.
  4. Dealers often will not provide a preventive repair just because a problem described in a TSB might happen to your car. They'll usually want to observe symptoms that the problem is already affecting your car.
  5. Even if there are symptoms, a manufacturer doesn't have to pick up the cost of a TSB repair if the car is out of warranty, though sometimes they do.

We provide the text of recalls and TSBs as provided by NHTSA. There can be errors in the text. If you sign up for notifications in My Garage, we will try to get these to do, but for various reasons (some beyond our control) cannot guarantee you will receive them. When in doubt about a recall or TSB, contact the dealer.