WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tesla Inc. is expanding a previous recall in the United States due to an issue that could obscure the pedestrian warning system sounds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla recalled nearly 579,000 Model S, X, and Y vehicles from the 2020 to 22 model years, as well as Model 3 vehicles from the 2017 to 22 model years, in February for failing to comply with a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard on minimum noise requirements for hybrids and electric vehicles.
According to the NHTSA, Tesla’s “Boombox function” allows external speakers to play sounds while the vehicle is in motion, potentially masking the warning sound that alerts pedestrians to an approaching vehicle. Boombox enables the driver to play a preset or custom sound through the pedestrian warning system’s external speaker while the vehicle is parked or in motion, including when using Summon or Smart Summon — a beta-testing feature that enables vehicle owners to “summon” their vehicles from a parking space to their location.
Tesla said in a new recall report submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on April 12 that the recall now includes over 594,700 2020-22 Model S, Model X, and Model Y vehicles, as well as certain 2017-22 Model 3 vehicles built or retrofitted with the pedestrian warning system.
According to the recall report, the latest recall affects certain 2022 Model S, X, Y, and 3 vehicles equipped with the Summon or Smart Summon function and manufactured prior to a March 31 production change.
Tesla previously released an over-the-air software update that disabled the Boombox feature in drive, neutral, or reverse. The expanded recall does not apply to vehicles that received that update and are configured without Summon or Smart Summon.
Tesla vehicle owners, however, may purchase or subscribe to the use of Summon or Smart Summon. “As a precautionary measure, Tesla will also deploy the same firmware update to these vehicles, which will disable Boombox functionality when Summon or Smart Summon is later enabled,” the report stated.
Tesla stated that it is unaware of any crashes, injuries, or deaths associated with the recall.
Beginning Wednesday, Tesla stores and service centres were notified. Beginning June 6, owners will be notified.