Tesla has recalled 1.85 million vehicles because of a software issue potentially failing to detect an unlatched hood.

The issue could increase the likelihood of the hood fully opening and obstructing the driver’s view.

The electric vehicle manufacturer recalled the impacted vehicles out of an abundance of caution.

Tesla recalling more than 1.8M vehicles due to hood issue https://t.co/jhZDU9RFHa

— The Associated Press (@AP) July 30, 2024

Per Fox Business:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that an unlatched hood opening fully could cause the driver to crash because of their view being impeded.

Tesla began rolling out an over-the-air software update to fix the issue in mid-June, NHTSA said. The updated software properly detects an open hood and alerts drivers accordingly.

The Elon Musk-led automaker began investigating customer complaints of unintended hood opening events in Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in China in late March.

From mid-April to June 7, Tesla analyzed samples in the field to understand the issue and latch commonalities across its various vehicle lines and regions. It found that hood latch problems were more common in China when compared to incidents in the European and North American markets.

The EV maker began engineering studies on June 7 in Europe and North America to inspect hood latch assemblies for deformations in switches and on July 17 decided to voluntarily recall affected vehicles out of an abundance of caution.

ICYMI! Tesla has issued a ‘safety recall’ on 1.8 million electric vehicles, but the good news is that it is just a software fix – although an important one as it will prevent the hood from flying open while driving 😶

It's going out as update 2024.20.100.

More details… pic.twitter.com/xpmNViGqYs

— Electrek.co (@ElectrekCo) July 31, 2024

Tesla rolled out an OTA software update to 1.85 million vehicles to comply with the NHTSA “recall” in the US.

The issue concerns the non-detection of the hood being open while driving. https://t.co/NjDqw7MZXx pic.twitter.com/MQRhCzNZyA

— Tesla Newswire (@TeslaNewswire) July 30, 2024

From The Hill:

The NHTSA said the recall applies to certain 2021-24 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-24 Model Y vehicles.

A software update is available free of charge to vehicle owners, the NHTSA said, and owners do not need to return their vehicles for a physical repair.

Tesla will mail notification letters to owners on Sept. 22, NHTSA said.

Tesla began investigating customer complaints of “unintended hood opening events” on certain vehicles in China on March 25, according to the NHTSA. On July 17, Tesla decided to issue the recall “out of an abundance of caution.”

Tesla’s recall number is SB-24-00-012. The NHTSA campaign number is 24V554000.