Tesla is issuing a recall for some Model Y vehicles
MotorTrend
Tesla has announced a recall for 3,470 Model Y SUVs over concerns that some second-row seatbacks may not be properly fastened, reducing the seatbelt system's performance. However, unlike most Tesla recalls, which can be fixed through over-the-air (OTA) software updates, this issue requires a service visit.
The affected vehicles were manufactured between May 23, 2022, and February 5, 2023. Approximately 4% of them may have one or more bolts securing the second-row seatback frames to the lower seat frame that are not properly torqued to specifications. It's a potential issue because the second-row seat belt system loads go through the lower seat frame, and if the bolts are not tightened correctly, the seat belt system may not work as intended in a collision, increasing the risk of injury.
How to Determine if Your Tesla is Impacted
The NHTSA plans to send letters to affected owners by April 25, with free repairs available at Tesla service centers. However, there is a faster way than waiting for snail mail. The Tesla app notifies owners of outstanding recalls. Tesla owners can check their vehicle's VIN at any time on the website. Remember, the VIN is conveniently found at the bottom of the app home screen. There is also a page on the Tesla website listing recalls. Impacted owners must schedule a Mobile Service visit or visit a service center to have the bolts inspected and re-torqued if necessary.
Tesla first discovered the problem on December 10, 2022, during an inspection at the Fremont factory. The company investigated with its supplier from December 11 to January 27, 2023, to determine the root cause. The reason and affected vehicles were identified by February 17, leading to a recall decision. Additionally, Tesla knows five warranty claims between December 9, 2022, and February 14, 2023, which may be related to this issue.
Proof Different Terminology Needed
Elon Musk has been vocal several times about the term recall. Last Month he tweeted: Definitely. The word “recall” for an over-the-air software update is anachronistic and just flat wrong!
While this shows that Tesla is not immune to traditional recall when vehicles have to go in for service, it also shows the issue with the wording. As more manufacturers catch up to Tesla's technology, over-the-air updates should become far more prevalent, making the word recall even more confusing.
For lack of better words, this recall follows a recent large-scale OTA recall of 362,000 Tesla vehicles regarding Full-Self-Driving Beta software that the NHTSA deemed unsafe for use at specific intersections. While the issue will be resolved through an OTA update, it continues to stir strong opinions from those who disagree with the NHTSA's terminology and those who consider Tesla's FSD software unsafe.
Tesla aims to improve its quality control and production standards, as outlined during its Investor Day event, and reduce the frequency of recalls.
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Tesla recently showed off Giga Small Haus, an interesting new display project hosted at Giga Berlin. The small new house is located just outside the main entrance of Tesla’s Giga Berlin factory, with a Quicksilver Model Y parked inside.
Giga Small Haus is powered only by solar and Powerwall 3 - disconnected from the local grid and from Giga Berlin itself. It serves as a live demonstration of Tesla Solar and Tesla’s Powerwall battery backup.
Giga Small Haus
The centerpiece of the display is a Model Y in Quicksilver - a beautiful pick for a beautifully lit house. However, that’s not the real focus here - it's the Powerwall and Gateway on the wall.
The Powerwall is the focus of Giga Small Haus, and there’s a display with some additional information on the wall. Part of the display also includes a screen that displays the current output of the Powerwall itself versus the consumption of Giga Small Haus, as well as the input from solar.
The interior exhibit of Giga Small Haus
Not a Tesla App
The text on the exhibit is divided into several sections. Here’s a translated and edited version of what we can see from Tesla’s images. Some additional text is obscured. If someone visits Giga Small Haus, let us know.
Powerwall
Powerwall is a home battery system that stores energy from solar panels, the electrical grid, or during off-peak hours and powers your home during the day or during a power outage.
With Powerwall, you can use self-generated solar energy during the day and night, thus avoiding high electricity costs. You can also store excess energy produced during sunny periods for use during times of low production or power outages.
Key Features
Energy Storage: Powerwall stores excess energy from solar panels or the grid for later use or during power outages.
Backup Power: In the event of a power outage, Powerwall automatically switches to battery power to ensure continuous power supply.
Integration: Powerwall can be seamlessly integrated with existing solar systems and other power sources.
Scalability: Multiple Powerwalls can be installed to meet higher energy storage needs.
Smart Energy Management: Powerwall works with Tesla's software to optimize energy consumption and reduce costs.
How Powerwall Works
Storage: During the day, when solar panels produce more energy than needed, the excess is stored in Powerwall.
Usage: At night or during times of low solar production, the stored energy is used to power the home, reducing reliance on the grid.
Backup: During a power outage, Powerwall automatically provides power to critical circuits, ensuring continuous operation of essential appliances.
Benefits
Cost Savings: By storing and using solar energy, you can reduce your electricity bills.
Reliability: Provides backup power during outages, ensuring your home remains powered.
Sustainability: Promotes the use of renewable energy by storing excess solar production for later use.
Overall, Giga Small Haus is an interesting real-life demo of what Powerwall and Solar can accomplish. It would be neat if Tesla built more of these displays - perhaps near major Delivery and Service Centers and at Giga Texas, Fremont, Giga Shanghai, and other facilities. Many Tesla owners have yet to learn about and experience some of Tesla’s Energy products.
Tesla has added the Acceleration Boost option to the Tesla store for owners of the 2024 Model 3 Long Range - specifically owners in Australia and China. Acceleration Boost is an upgrade that provides a significant performance boost, drastically narrowing the performance gap between the Long Range and Performance versions of the same model.
This upgrade will likely become available in Europe, Canada, and the United States in the next few days as Tesla updates its shops globally.
Acceleration Boost
This new Acceleration Boost is retailing for $3,000 AUD, or approximately $2,000 USD. That’s the same price for current owners of older Model 3 or Model Y Long Range vehicles, which all have the option to purchase Acceleration Boost through the shop.
The boost provides improved 0-100km/h (0-60mph) performance, bumping the 2024 Model 3 LR from 4.4s to 3.8s. The 2024 Performance version comes in at a blazing fast 2.9 seconds, so while it isn’t equivalent to just buying a performance variant in the first place, it is still a noticeable and significant upgrade.
Performance variants also come with a different front fascia vent for cooling, performance drive units, sport seats, adaptive suspension, 20-inch wheels, and Track Mode V3. That’s a significant number of additional features in the $10,000 USD price difference between the Long Range and Performance versions.
Should You Buy It?
If you’ve purchased a Long Range model and are itching to go just that little bit faster at every red light, this is the upgrade for you. It previously came with the cost of slightly reducing vehicle range, but the Tesla store doesn’t make a note of reduced range this time around. The 2023 Model 3 and Model Y Long Range models had an efficiency loss of about 5% due to the additional always-available acceleration and cooling.
You could drive in Chill mode to mostly negate that efficiency loss, but what’s the fun in driving in Chill when you just got Acceleration Boost? Anyhow, the shop listing for the 2024 variant doesn’t include this detail, so it's possible Tesla may have worked some more engineering magic.
Overall, if you’ve got the $3,000 AUD burning a hole in your pocket, some Tesla referral credits sitting around, or just want to go faster, it's definitely an upgrade many users find valuable.
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