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 has begun to reach out to customers in the United States and is offering demo drives of the Cybertruck on an invite-only basis. @brandonhd on X shared the first invite image, and it looks like it's going out quite quickly to multiple locations that have Cybertrucks on display.
Up until now, display vehicles have been for just that – looking, but no touching. Some Tesla delivery centers and showrooms have also allowed viewers to take a seat inside and open it up, but most are still locked away behind the velvet rope.
It’s exciting to see that Tesla has begun to demo them – and it can only be so long until demo drives open up to everyone.
Advisor-led Demo
This Demo Drive is led by a Tesla Advisor – while you’re driving, the advisor will be in the passenger seat, walking you through the experience. They’ll explain steer-by-wire, off-road controls, and will introduce new-to-Tesla buyers to all the features that are currently available.
The list of locations so far for demo drives appears to be fairly limited, but we will hopefully see demo drives roll out throughout the United States, and eventually Canada too. Here is the current list of city/state locations that have seen demo drive invites.
Actually Smart Summon, the successor to Tesla’s Smart Summon feature, has been confirmed to be coming as soon as next month as per Elon Musk. Colloquially known as “ASS”, Actually Smart Summon is supposed to improve on the regular Smart Summon capabilities, which have historically used ultrasonic sensors (USS) to navigate parking lots.
We’re looking forward to Actually Smart Summon, and we’re quite excited about what other features will be unlocked once it finally shows up at our doorstep.
Vision-based Improvements
ASS is supposed to bring Smart Summon to vehicles that don’t have USS – using Tesla Vision. Most recently, Tesla has brought Autopark to vehicles without USS, and Vision-based Autopark has been a huge success. It is faster, more reliable, and smoother than the older USS-based solution. It can also park and maneuver in tighter locations.
Today, Smart Summon is sometimes useful at best, usually a party trick, or downright dangerous at worst. It’s excellent and best used in straight lines, where you have a clear line of sight of the vehicle, and can stop it if doesn’t see an obstacle.
I used Smart Summon today, just before writing this article – my 2022 Model Y (with USS) – did manage to show up just fine – in a straight-line location from where I was parked, after exiting the parking spot fairly cleanly. However, I’ve previously used Smart Summon and have had the vehicle turn towards obstacles, such as cart returns or curbs. Overall, it’s a sometimes-useful feature that has a lot of drawbacks right now.
Smart Summon is also restricted to a certain distance – and it's pretty small. The max distance is shorter than most parking lots, being only about 215 ft (65m). If you’re lucky enough to park close, it's very useful to bring your car right to you.
Actually Smart Summon
ASS will bring FSD V12-like capabilities to Smart Summon – the vehicle will primarily use Vision to drive toward you (or the location you’ve indicated). ASS has been supposed to be coming since about September 2022 and has seen many delays – we’re almost at the 2-year point today.
We’re looking forward to Actually Smart Summon being able to bring the vehicle – safely – right to you. ASS is also one of the key steps towards bringing some other cool features that Elon Musk has previously mentioned – Park Seek and Banish Autopark.
We’re also hopeful that Actually Smart Summon will increase the maximum range a vehicle can be summoned, because the current range is fairly small. Alongside Park Seek and Banish Autopark, we’re closing in on a Robotaxi-based future.
Park Seek and Banish Autopark
When the FSD v12.4 showed up, Elon also mentioned that going forward, vehicles would automatically park themselves when arriving in a parking lot – Park Seek – and that if you got out of the car at the entrance to a business, you could get it to automatically park itself in the parking lot – Banish Autopark. These are two features that are needed for Robotaxi to work – which itself is delayed to October 10th of this year. We’re looking quite forward to them – as in combination with Actually Smart Summon, Tesla has reached the cusp of vehicle autonomy.
A vehicle that arrives, driverless, at the location you’re at, then drives somewhere, parks itself there, and waits for you – is the definition of a Robotaxi.
While we’re likely to have to wait for Banish Autopark and Park Seek just a bit longer, Actually Smart Summon being around the corner is exciting! Gone will be the days of having to run out to your car when you forgot your umbrella – your car will just come right to you instead.
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