Tesla recalls 80,000 cars across 3 models in China as regulator asks EV maker to fix software, seat belt issues

Name: Speeding Tesla kills 2 in China, carmaker denies claims that brakes failed
Uploaded: 2022-11-25T08:15:32.000Z
Duration: 1 min 31 s
Description: Speeding Tesla kills 2 in China, carmaker denies claims that brakes failed

The Chinese regulator has asked Tesla to fix a glitch in the battery management system of some 68,000 Model S and Model X cars

Tesla has also been told to inspect some 12,000 Model 3 cars with seat belt problems

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Tesla has been affected by a string of recalls over a range of issues in the US and China. Photo: AFP

Daniel Renin Shanghai

Published: 4:15pm, 25 Nov 2022

Tesla is recalling more than 80,000 cars in China because of software and seat belt problems, adding to a string of recalls that have beset the carmaker. However, the issue is unlikely to affect its reputation as a premium carmaker, according to an analyst.

The carmaker has been asked to bring in 67,698 US-made Model S and Model X vehicles to repair a glitch that could affect the battery management system, according to a statement by China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) on Friday. The company will use an over-the-air (OTA) patch to update the software on the cars, which were produced between September 2013 and November 2020, it added.

Another 2,763 Model 3 vehicles, also produced in the US between January and November 2019, are being recalled over improperly installed second-row seat belts.

SAMR said the potential glitches in the battery management system could disable power delivery and increase the risk of vehicle collision, while the seat belt problem could cause injuries in accidents.

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Speeding Tesla kills 2 in China, carmaker denies claims that brakes failed

The regulator also said that 10,127 Model 3 cars built at Tesla’s Shanghai factory between October 2019 and September 2022 were found to have the same seat belt problem and would be recalled.