Recall Formalized for Tesla Brake/Tire Issue

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FREMONT, Calif. – Tesla, Inc., has upgraded its voluntary recall of certain electric vehicles for a potential issue concerning a brake-caliper-bolt defect which could lead to loss of tire pressure, to a full-blown National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) authorized recall.

As reported in the May 31, 2021 The BRAKE Report, Tesla originally sent emails to the owners of these vehicles alerting them to the situation. The email did instruct the owners to schedule a service appointment to have the fasteners inspected and, if necessary, repaired.

According to NHTSA Part 573 Safety Recall Report 21V-387 the electric-vehicle manufacturer will be recalling a total of 5,974 2019-2021 Model 3 sedans and 2020-2021 Model Y crossovers produced between  Dec. 2018 and March 2021.

The report outlined the issue this way:

“The brake calipers of Model 3 and Model Y vehicles are attached to the wheel knuckle using two fasteners. If a fastener is not secured to the correct specification, the fastener may loosen over time and, in very rare circumstances, may become loose enough or separate from the knuckle such that the caliper makes contact with the inner surface of the wheel rim.

“ . . . if a fastener becomes loose enough or separates from the knuckle such that the caliper makes contact with the inner surface of the wheel rim, the wheel may be prevented from freely rotating, which may cause loss of tire pressure and may increase the risk of a crash.”

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There have not been any crashes reported due to this condition, according to Tesla.

Tesla has not informed NHTSA of any scheduled notification (yet) beyond the original email. The remedy, as outlined in the owner email, is inspection and, if necessary, a Tesla technician will apply and confirm the proper torque and angle of the fasteners – all at no charge to the owner.

Mike Geylin
Mike Geylin

Mike Geylin is the Editor-in-Chief at Hagman Media. Geylin has been in automotive communications for five decades working in all aspects of the industry from OEM to supplier to motorsports as well as reporting for both newspapers and magazines on the industry.