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Tesla Recalls 2,700 Model X Cars, Highlighting Risk of Massive Model 3 Rollout (bgr.com)

An anonymous reader writes: Tesla has recalled 2,700 Model X cars due to a design flaw affecting the vehicle's third row of seats. Specifically, a faulty locking hinge on the last row of seats could potentially cause the seats to collapse forward during a crash. "Despite [15] prior successful tests and no reports of a third row seat slipping in any customer vehicles," Tesla said in an email to affected owners, "we have decided to conduct a voluntary recall as a precautionary measure and will be replacing all affected third row seat backs." Even though the Model X recall is small, it brings to mind the Model 3 and what possible manufacturing issues will pertain to it. BGR writes, "The current number of Model 3 reservations is absolutely staggering and Tesla will have no choice but to get as many Model 3s manufactured and out on the road as soon as humanly possible. So even in a best-case scenario where the rollout of the Model 3 goes swimmingly, Tesla will need to do all it can to ensure that the Model 3s rolling off the line in late 2018 and early 2019 are flawless." Recalling 2,700 vehicles is one thing, but a recall affecting the Model 3 could be a logistical and publicity nightmare.

6 of 157 comments (clear)

  1. Big freakin whoopdie doo by TurboStar · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Cars are recalled all the time. Or worse, they aren't recalled because it's cheaper to pay out for dead and maimed people. Why is this article about fear instead of praising Tesla for catching this before anyone got hurt?

    1. Re:Big freakin whoopdie doo by blankinthefill · · Score: 4, Insightful

      True story. A recall like this will NEVER be bad publicity when it's made as soon as the manufacturer realizes a problem exists and before anyone in the field has even seen anything. I've wanted a Tesla for awhile now, and if my current car can make it long enough, my next new car is going to be a Model 3... exactly BECAUSE of recalls like this. Tesla not only makes the safest cars on the road, but they have the safest organization as well. Clearly their management is more interested in making a safe car than turning a quick buck, and that's the kind of company that I want to do business with.

  2. A PR nightmare indeed! by pushing-robot · · Score: 4, Insightful

    What sort of dangerous idiots fix a potential problem pre-emptively out of an abundance of caution?

    Tesla must learn to do the right thing by its customers: cover up defects until the wrongful death lawsuits start rolling in.

    --
    How can I believe you when you tell me what I don't want to hear?
    1. Re:A PR nightmare indeed! by 140Mandak262Jamuna · · Score: 2, Insightful
      The company is still being run by the founder and the visionary leader. That is the source of this problem. Just wait till it goes public and institutional share holding crosses the threshold.

      Then the MBAs will move in. They will pay themselves first, raid the cash reserves, cash out the good will. Define short term is tomorrow and long term as this quarter. Once they move in, they will make sure profits are made in their tenure and the wrongful death law suits come after their stock options have vested and cashed out.

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      sed -e 's/Chuck Norris/Rajnikant/g' joke > fact
  3. Re:Really...??? by frovingslosh · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I'm certainly not an Elon fan-boy, but I completely agree. Other manufacturers have recalls too, and much worse they don't have recalls when they should (think explosive airbags and faulty ignition switches). Tesla is doing the right thing here and they deserve an acknowledgement of that.

    --
    I'm an American. I love this country and the freedoms that we used to have.
  4. Re:Really...??? by Matheus · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Article clearly written by someone who doesn't understand what a "recall" is. These happen all the time to nearly if not every vehicle. Given how much these cars cost, I'm pretty sure Elon can afford the maybe couple million this recall will cost tops (and that's retail cost of the part... you *know they're not actually spending retail cost on the replacement parts and the labor is virtually nil to replace a seat)

    Spin being what it is this article could have easily been written to the headline "Tesla continues to ensure delivered vehicles are top-notch!" with similar content to the summary including that they are voluntarily recalling 2700 vehicle despite no known failures in the wild. Spending low 7 figures so they their customers can know they are safe to the best of Tesla's ability.

    Instead they are casting this in a negative light and spreading fear. I have no need to blow sunshine up Elon's ass but I really can't stand journalists who's only talent is playing off of people's fears.