Tesla Recalls Over 9,000 Model X SUVs Amid Roof Trim Safety Concerns

WASHINGTON, U.S. – Tesla has issued a recall for approximately 9,100 Model X SUVs in the U.S. due to a potentially dangerous issue with the roof trim.

This recall, the second of its kind since 2020, highlights an ongoing problem with the luxury electric vehicle’s design that could pose a serious road hazard.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed on Wednesday that the front and center roof cosmetic trim pieces on affected 2016 Model X vehicles may have been adhered to without the necessary primer.

This oversight increases the risk of the trim detaching while driving, potentially creating a road hazard and elevating the chances of an accident.

Tesla has responded by offering free testing and reattachment of the trim for all impacted vehicles.

The company also noted that a procedural change made by their supplier in July 2016 has since addressed the issue in later models.

The recall comes after Tesla’s extensive study of reports and tests conducted since 2022.

The company found that the initial remedy implemented during the 2020 recall was insufficient to fully address the problem.

Specifically, aging tests, which simulated conditions of heat and humidity, revealed that the original fix failed to detect trim pieces that could still detach due to the absence of primer.

Tesla has acknowledged around 170 reports related to this issue but has assured that there have been no crashes or injuries reported in connection with the defect.

This recall stands out as a rare instance where Tesla, typically known for resolving issues through over-the-air software updates, has had to take physical action to correct a problem.

This latest recall adds to Tesla’s growing list of safety-related recalls in 2024, with nearly 2.6 million vehicles recalled in the first half of the year alone.

This figure puts Tesla second only to Ford Motor, which has recalled about 3.6 million vehicles in the same period.