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Tesla recalls 1.8 million cars because their hoods can open while driving

The electric car manufacturer Tesla had to issue a massive recall this month to fix faulty hood latches that can open while its cars are driving. The problem affects more than 1.8 million cars, which means it's slightly smaller than the recall in December that applied to more than 2 million Teslas.

The problem, according to the official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Part 573 safety recall report, affects model year 2021–2024 Model 3s (built between September 21, 2020, and June 2, 2024), model year 2021–2024 Model Ss (built between January 26, 2021, and July 15, 2024), model year 2021–2024 Model Xs (built between August 18, 2021, and July 15, 2024), and model year 2020–2024 Model Ys (built between January 9, 2020, and July 15, 2024).

The problem first became apparent to Tesla in March of this year after complaints about unintended hood opening from Chinese customers. By April, it had identified the problem as deformation of the hood latch switch, "which could prevent the customer from being notified about an open hood state."

Although the problem is with the hood latch, as with many Tesla safety recalls, the problem can be fixed with an over-the-air software patch. The new software is able to detect if the hood is open and, if so, will display a warning to the driver to alert them to stop their vehicle and secure the hood.

117 comments

  • giving elon another $55b bonus should fix it

    • We need more children from him, because apparently we don't have enough!

    • Do your thing, ma-gic man! Chanted the crowd as Elon in robes entered the golden restroom with his xPhone in the right and a ceremonial vial of coke in the left hand. It was followed by a series of thunder-like farts and sniffs.

  • the problem can be fixed with an over-the-air software patch

    I was about to make a bad joke about Tesla trying to fix a mechanical issue with a software patch but apparently Elon beat me to the punchline.

  • By April, it had identified the problem as deformation of the hood latch switch

    I mean that says the switch is faulty, sure there ALSO seems to be a problem with the sensor not providing the driver with a warning the frunk isn't latched, but you can't fix hardware with an over the air update

    • The only thing I can think of is if the sensor is a hall effect sensor that detects something (the switch?) being depressed by the hood. The sensitivity of the hall effect sensor might be tuneable. They may be able to reduce the sensitivity so it still detects a properly closed hood, but reports an improperly closed hood as open.

      It's annoying that the report just says it's fixed in software without explaining how.

  • Every day I'm reminded how glad I am that I changed my mind about buying into the early run of the 3 series. Shit quality and even a bigger POS in the head office.

  • My late-Dad used to have an old flatbed truck he kept around for hauling bulky items. It was faded metallic dark-blue with a cracked white fibreglass shell and oh, so many dings.

    I borrowed it once to move furniture. Was driving on an open stretch of a 6-lane freeway (California 🤷🏻‍♂️) going past rolling hills. Enjoying the scenery, listening to tunes on the only FM station it could play.

    Then BAM! The front hood whipped up and completely covered the windshield. Was going 65mph, but luckily not too many cars on that stretch. Tried to slow down, stupidly hoping it would flop back down, but of course, too much wind. Turned on the hazard lights, stuck my head out the window (front was completely blocked), and gradually moved to the right shoulder.

    The hood was solid metal, and was amazingly not destroyed. The hinges were also super strong, and had kept the hood from hitting the windshield. Realized things could have gone a LOT worse. But the hinges had bent back a bit. I tried to pull it down again, but it wouldn't close. I ended up hopping on top and jumping up and down like someone having an episode. It was enough to reach the little latch. Ended up using some old rope to tie the hood down to the fender, enough to hobble off the freeway and make it home on city streets.

    My father took the truck back, then used a sledgehammer and a winch to bring the hood back into alignment. No big. The dents just added character. That truck lasted another 10+ years.

    The Tesla recall is more about the latch sensor and it sounds like it can be fixed with an OTA update. Point is, seriously doubt a Tesla's hood would survive an actual catastrophic flop-up event like Dad's old beast.

  • Although the problem is with the hood latch, as with many Tesla safety recalls, the problem can be fixed with an over-the-air software patch

    This is what happens when you run all the car's mechanical and electronic switches though some cheap, sh*tty tablet interface. Instead of directly wiring them to lights on the dashboard.

117 comments