Tesla Speedometer Problem Sparks New Recall

Another day, another recall from Tesla over defects in the luxury automaker’s electric vehicles.

The company recently announced that it is calling back some 48,000 cars because they may not display the speedometer while in "Track Mode.” Tesla says a December firmware update unintentionally removed the speed unit from the user interface on certain Model 3 vehicles.

“Lack of a speed unit when using Track Mode may not adequately inform the driver of vehicle speed, which may increase the risk of a collision,” the company said in a recall notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Tesla is not aware of any crashes, injuries or fatalities related to this condition.”

The recall covers certain 2018-2022 Model 3 vehicles.

Track Mode is designed for fast driving on closed-circuit courses. It is meant to give drivers more stability control and traction as well as improved braking. It also runs the cooling system at a higher level to avoid overheating.

The company said it will issue an over-the-air software update to fix the problem. Tesla plans to notify the owners of recalled vehicles by early June, according to the NHTSA notice.

Tesla Makes Recalls a Regular Occurrence

This, sadly, is not Tesla’s first rodeo when it comes to recalling cars.

“Tesla has issued a total of 10 recall campaigns in 2022 covering 2.1 million vehicles, NHTSA said, but some vehicles are covered by more than one campaign,” David Shepardson reports for Reuters. “That is the second highest number of vehicles recalled this year behind Ford Motor.”

The company announced earlier this year that it was recalling roughly 54,000 vehicles over a “rolling stop” feature that may not allow cars to come to a full stop at intersections. Around the same time, Tesla called back nearly 600,000 vehicles because pedestrians may not be able to hear the required sounds of those cars as they approach.

How the California Lemon Law Protects Tesla Owners

The good news: Tesla and other car owners in California have valuable rights and protections under the state’s lemon law. A California lemon law attorney can help you take action.

The lemon law requires car manufacturers to do a variety of repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also obligates carmakers to buy back (or replace, in some circumstances) cars that they are not able or refuse to fix. That includes compensating the owner for the purchase price, along with other related fees and costs.

There is no specific number of repair requests or attempts that a person must make before the buyback or replacement requirement kicks in. That is one of many reasons why it is vital to consult an experienced lawyer.

Talk with a California Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a California lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney.