Latest Tesla app will now display any recalls for your vehicle

By Alex Jones
The Tesla app can now displayed vehicle recalls
The Tesla app can now displayed vehicle recalls

Like other automakers, Tesla issues vehicle recalls (many involving minor software tweaks) when a vehicle feature or hardware needs to be changed.

With the release of their latest app update (version 4.9), Twitter user Tesla_App_iOS, noticed that Tesla added a new API that could potentially show vehicle recall information.

It didn't appear that the Tesla app was yet using this new API, but just a couple days later it can now be seen in the Service area of the app.

The service section of the app is loaded via a webview, which is essentially a webpage that the app loads when the user navigates to that section.

This allows Tesla to make changes to that section without requiring an app update to display new information.

Tesla, along with other car manufacturers, maintains a database of applicable recalls based on the VIN of each respective vehicle, so Tesla already has all the information needed in order to display recalls for your specific vehicle.

In the App

The Tesla app can now displayed vehicle recalls
The Tesla app can now displayed vehicle recalls

Upon navigating to the Service section, Tesla will list any recalls available for your vehicle.

Tapping an individual recall will give you additional information.

Tesla also has a Learn More button that links off to Tesla's site, where they display detailed information about the given recall.

Notifications

Since the feature appears to just have gone live recently, it's not clear yet whether Tesla will send a push notification to the owner when there is a new recall issued.

A notification could prompt the user to schedule service for critical recalls.

What is currently unknown is if software recalls will also be included in the app, or if it'll be limited to recalls that require Tesla service.

Some software-based recalls, like the removal of Boombox while in drive are displayed in the vehicle's release notes.

This is a welcome new feature to the Tesla app that makes managing recalls simple and convenient.

You can now easily look at or confirm if there are any outstanding recalls with just a few taps.

The feature is available on iOS and Android.

It looks like this feature may not be available in every region yet, as some users like TeslaChinaRider are not seeing it available in the app yet.

Tesla has a history of testing new features in select markets before releasing it broadly. Hopefully that's the case with this feature as well.

This Year’s Most Creative Cybertruck Halloween Decorations for Trunk or Treat

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

The Cybertruck has now celebrated its first Halloween, and owners did not disappoint in coming up with clever and unique decorations for their stainless steel trunk. Make sure you’ve got whatever is left of your candy nearby cause we’re going in.

Aliens

Up in the hero image to get us started - the Cybertruck is really a piece of alien technology. At least, that’s how it appears when it first arrives in town. So, why not celebrate the alien-ness of the Cybertruck to North American roads? We love it.

Spooky

@jayvee10x over on X put together this fantastic display for Halloween and included their Cybertruck! The Cybertruck would definitely be a good vehicle of choice to take on zombies and walking skeletons.

By @jayvee10x.
By @jayvee10x.
@jayvee10x

Halo

TeslaKen over on the Cybertruck Owner’s Club forums put together this outstanding Cosplay of Master Chief from Halo, and wrapped up his Cybertruck to look like a Warthog. Probably one of the coolest costumes we’ve seen so far.

By TeslaKen on the CT Owners Club
By TeslaKen on the CT Owners Club
TeslaKen

Jaws

Sometimes, all you need to do to get a scare is to show some nice sharp teeth. The smoke machine just completes the look with the red glow.

Fangs!
Fangs!
Not a Tesla App

More Aliens

Terry Stach and Robert Martin captured some aliens in their trucks. Best to keep an eye on these ones, lest they whisk you away in their Cyber-UFO. Just watch out though, because @brandtsla over on X is being chased by that UFO!

Terry Stach over on Facebook.
Terry Stach over on Facebook.
Terry Stach

Cyberbeast Cerberus

The Cyberbeast’s logo is the three-headed hound that guards the gates of hell - Cereberus. Turns out that S.E. Robinson let the dogs out. Our favorite, all things said. Maybe a smoke machine and some red lights to complete the look though! Oh wait, he’s got that too!

The Cybertruck makes an incredible canvas for Halloween decorations, and we’re eager to see even more creative ideas emerge as it heads into its second Halloween season next year.

First Look at Tesla's New 'Service History' Feature [Photos]

By Karan Singh
Mahtava

Tesla has begun adding the ability for service technicians—both Tesla’s and third-party — to log repair history in their vehicles.

This new feature is part of update Tesla update 2024.38.2, which also includes other features such as Reduced Sentry Mode Power Usage, and Track Mode Powertrain Endurance.

While this isn’t exactly a feature most users will see often, Tesla has added some features that should help technicians know more about a vehicle’s history. Best of all, while Service History is aimed at technicians, it’s also accessible by any Tesla owner.

So, grab your wrench, and let’s take a detailed look at Tesla’s new Service History.

Service History

Service History is a new feature in Tesla’s Service Mode that tracks all the maintenance a vehicle has received. Technicians are prompted to use Tesla’s Correction Codes, which define the repair that took place and then provide an optional timestamp for the repair being completed. In short, it’s a way to keep track of repairs and services within the vehicle. This should make it easier for technicians to solve issues by being aware of the vehicle’s history.

Service History is accessible directly on the main panel of Service Mode. While Tesla already has internal tools to access a vehicle’s history, the real benefit will be when the vehicle is serviced by different technicians. For example, a local tech could now be services that Tesla serviced performed and vice-versa.

Service history is also permanent and stays with the vehicle. Once entries are added, they cannot be edited or removed, so there’s no tampering with a vehicle’s service history.

You can see the new Service History option on the bottom right.
You can see the new Service History option on the bottom right.
Mahtava

These timestamped history logs are permanently saved to your vehicle and are accessible by Tesla and anyone else who can put their car into Service Mode. If you want to take a peek and are on 2024.38 or higher, you can follow our Guide on Service Mode here.

Entering a Service Item

When entering a new Service History entry, you’re given a few options, including a Correction Code. Tesla maintains a list of Correction Codes for pretty much everything under the sun, from a full-out swap of the battery pack or one of the motors to things as simple as replacing the wiper blades or adding windshield washer fluid.

Technicians servicing Tesla vehicles will have the option to indicate whether they’re a first-party doing the work (Tesla Service), a qualified third-party independent repairer, or an unknown—like the vehicle owner themselves.

The pop-up that displays when you open Service History.
The pop-up that displays when you open Service History.
Mahtava

If you’d like to add an entry yourself, you can give it a try, as it’s pretty straightforward. You can select a Correction Code for something you’d normally DIY, like adding washer fluid. You can then select a timestamp, which is optional, and then select what type of repairer you are - first party, qualified third party, or other.

The Record Service Menu.
The Record Service Menu.
Mahtava

Expanding Service History

Tesla’s new Service History is a really interesting idea. It puts third-party technicians and vehicle owners on equal ground, with everyone having access to a vehicle’s history. It’s also going to be useful for owners to keep track of simple tasks like tire rotations, wiper blade replacements, low-voltage battery replacements, and more.

Service History also helps solve the issue of Tesla not being able to effectively track vehicle services done by qualified third-party repair shops, who often won’t push the vehicle correction codes via Toolbox 3.

Instead, this allows even unfamiliar repair technicians an easy-to-see and easy-to-use solution to log and diagnose potential issues quickly.

We’d love for Tesla to make Service History even more accessible, potentially moving it out of Service Mode, which only a small percentage of owners will ever go into.

It’d be useful if Tesla moved certain options into the main Controls > Service area, allowing vehicle owners to add simple things like adding windshield wiper fluid. For more complex changes, Tesla could ask owners to enter Service Mode, and remind them that all entries are permanent and can not be changed or removed, even by Tesla.

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