Model X Recalled, Proves Tesla Isn’t Perfect
The Tesla Model X has been recalled for an issue with its third-row seat
Photo: Don McCullough
Well, it has happened again. Tesla is officially recalling another vehicle. Last year, the luxury carmaker underwent a massive recall for the Model S when it was having issues with its front seatbelt. Now, the luxury carmaker has issued a recall for the company’s popular Model X crossover SUV.
Do you hear that sound? That’s the sound of rose-colored glasses shattering around the world.
Sorry, folks. Looks like Tesla isn’t as perfect as you thought they were.
The reasoning behind Tesla’s recall is a design flaw in the vehicle’s third-row seats. There is a faulty locking hinge on the last row of seats that could potentially cause the seats to collapse forward during a crash. While there are no reported incidents as of yet, Tesla is making a move to get ahead of the problem as soon as it possibly can.
In an email to affected owners, Tesla stated: “Despite [15] prior successful tests and no reports of a third-row seat slipping in any customer vehicles, we have decided to conduct a voluntary recall as a precautionary measure and will be replacing all affected third row seat backs.”
I guess it’s better to be safe, than have a multi-million dollar lawsuit on your hands. It’s likely that the only people who can afford to buy a Model X—which has an MSRP of $132,000—also happen to have some very, very great lawyers on their payroll.
Luckily for Tesla, the recall’s range is quite small. So far, the company has only shipped 2,700 Model X models to dealerships and owners. This means that affected owners are few and far between.
In the future, though, Tesla might not be so lucky. As the Model 3 comes onto the market, the number of the brand’s newest vehicle that will be manufactured and out on the road will be staggering. I mean, people were lining up to put a $1,000 deposit on the Model 3 and Tesla hadn’t even revealed it yet. This means that a recall of the Model 3 could be potentially disastrous for Tesla—both logistically and fiscally.
Basically, if there is an early recall, Tesla’s headquarters is going to look a lot like this:
Talk about nerve-racking.
In the mean time, if you’re one of those lucky 2,700 people who own a Model X, I suggest taking it in to get fixed ASAP. Or just don’t let anyone sit in the third-row seat. Your decision.
A born-and-raised Jersey girl, Caitlin Moran has somehow found herself settled in Edinburgh, Scotland. When she’s not spending her days trying to remember which side of the road to drive on, Caitlin enjoys getting down and nerdy with English. She continues to combine her love of writing with her love of cars for The News Wheel, while also learning more about the European car market—including the fact that the Seat brand is pronounced “se-at” not “seat” as you might think. See more articles by Caitlin.