In a letter to the manufacturer the NHTSA asked Tesla to recall some Model S and Model X vehicles because the touchscreens can fail after years of use, WSJ reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n Because pretty much everything in a Tesla is controlled through the screen, its failure would affect safety functions such as screen defogging and reversing cameras. And that\u2019s why the NHTSA got involved.<\/p>\n If Tesla don\u2019t follow the NHTSA\u2019s request to recall the vehicles, the EV maker will have to justify and explain its decision to the authority.<\/p>\n If the NHTSA isn\u2019t satisfied, it can take the matter to a public hearing, and then enforce the recall through a court ruling. In that case, Tesla would have to comply.<\/p>\n The NHTSA\u2019s recall affects Model S vehicles built between 2012 and 2018 and Model X\u2018s built between 2016 and 2018.<\/p>\n This specific recall relates to an issue with the infotainment system\u2019s onboard memory. Last November<\/a>, it came to light that the NAND storage used in the screen\u2019s integrated computer wears out over time, rendering the whole unit useless.<\/p>\n Tesla frontman Elon Musk has previously bragged about sourcing these touchscreens from computer suppliers rather than automotive specialists. While it saved the firm some money, the screens weren\u2019t designed to withstand the temperature changes in a car\u2019s interior or the vibrations caused from driving, The Drive reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n Many owners got them repaired by Tesla, but unfortunately, the replacements also went on to fail.<\/p>\n According to an analyst quoted by the WSJ, the recall could end up costing $300 million to $500 million. So much for saving money.<\/p>\n That takes us up to now and the NHTSA\u2018s intervention that is asking Tesla to take action.<\/p>\n With no PR department to contact, it\u2019s unclear what Tesla is planning to do about this.<\/p>\n While the EV maker has fixed faulty screens before on goodwill, it\u2019s also ignored safety recommendations from other authorities like the National Transport Safety Board<\/a>. So it\u2019s anybody\u2019s guess.<\/p>\n If Tesla accepts the NHTSA notice, though, it will make the recall one of the biggest the vehicle maker has ever seen. If it doesn\u2019t, this could be the start of an intense legal battle.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a>SHIFT<\/a> is brought to you by Polestar. It\u2019s time to accelerate the shift to sustainable mobility. That is why Polestar combines electric driving with cutting-edge design and thrilling performance.<\/span><\/i> Find out how<\/span><\/i><\/a>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Published January 14, 2021 \u2014 14:19 UTC <\/p>\n
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