US electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, Tesla, Inc. is recalling approximately 2.2 million vehicles due to a font size issue on the instrument panel that impacts brake, park, and antilock brake system warning lights.
The recall, affecting nearly all Tesla cars sold in the United States, was prompted by a violation of federal safety standards, because the font Tesla used on the instrument panel for its brake, park and antilock brake system warning lights was too small.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which filed the recall notice, warned that “warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.”
The NHTSA recalled the following models:
TESLA/CYBERTRUCK/2024
TESLA/MODEL 3/2017-2023
TESLA/MODEL S/2012-2023
TESLA/MODEL X/2016-2024
TESLA/MODEL Y/2019-2024
Despite the font size issue, Tesla has reported no known crashes, injuries, or fatalities associated with the incorrect warning light fonts. NHTSA highlighted this information in a report posted on 30th January.
The notice added that to address the problem, Tesla plans to release a free over-the-air software update, which will rectify the font size issue without requiring physical inspections or repairs. Owner notification letters are set to be mailed starting 30th March.
CBS News reports that in a separate development, the NHTSA has initiated a preliminary evaluation into reports of power steering problems with certain Tesla vehicles. Specifically, the agency has identified 2,388 complaints related to drivers losing steering control in some 2023 Tesla Model 3 and Y vehicles. This preliminary evaluation could potentially spark another recall, with the NHTSA launching an engineering analysis into the reported power steering issues.
This latest recall comes on the heels of Tesla’s recent recall of nearly 200,000 vehicles in the US due to a malfunctioning backup camera while in reverse. Additionally, in December 2023, Tesla recalled over 2 million vehicles across four different models to address a flaw in its autopilot system. This move followed a lengthy investigation by the NHTSA into a series of crashes, some fatal, linked to the autopilot technology.
By Derrrick Kafui Deti – Digital Economy
