Reckless Tesla driver rides through flooded San Diego streets
A Tesla driver was seen plowing through flooded San Diego streets, sending waves toward a stranded driver warning of driving into deep waters.
Tesla is recalling nearly 200,000 vehicles in the United States due to a “software instability” that may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying.
The recall covers certain 2023 Model S, X, and Y vehicles equipped with full self-driving computer 4.0 and running software release version 2023.44.30 through 2023.44.30.6 or 2023.44.100.
Tesla has released a free, over-the-air (OTA) software update, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 22.
Tesla said in documents it began receiving reports of camera feeds not displaying on certain affected vehicles, including the rearview camera feed, on Dec. 26. The company said it is “not aware of any crashes, injuries or deaths that may be related to this condition.”
Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla’s number for this recall is SB-24-00-002. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
More Tesla recalls: More than 1.6 million Tesla electric vehicles recalled in China for autopilot, lock issues
Other recent Tesla recalls, battery issues
Earlier this month, Tesla recalled more than 1.6 million electric vehicles exported to China to correct issues with autopilot features and door latch glitches.
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation reported the recall impacted Tesla’s Model 3, Model S, Model X, and Model Y vehicles because drivers can “misuse” a driving assistance feature, increasing the risk of a crash.
Regulators said when the automatic assisted steering function is turned on, the driver “may misuse the level 2 combined driving assistance function” potentially causing not only a wreck, but other safety issues.
Regulators also said more than 7,500 Model S and Model X cars with production dates between Oct. 26, 2022 and Nov. 16, 2023 have been recalled over concerns that, during a crash, the non-collision side door will unlock.
“Due to a problem with the door unlock logic control of the vehicles within the scope of this recall, in the event of a collision, the non-collision side door latch may detach from the latch, leaving the door in an unlocked state, posing a safety hazard,” regulators wrote.
Additionally, Tesla owners in the Chicago area earlier this month were struggling to charge their vehicles amid freezing temperatures, in some cases leaving them stranded.
Some Tesla owners were stranded in Evergreen Park, Illinois, a Chicago suburb, with dead batteries and not enough working charging stations. A Tesla owner told local station WLS in Chicago that he saw at least 10 cars get towed after running out of battery and dying.
On its website, Tesla says its vehicles use more energy to heat the cabin and battery in cold weather, and that it’s “normal to see energy consumption increase.”
Tesla recommends leaving vehicles plugged in whenever possible. Keeping the charge level above 20% when not plugged in will reduce the impact of cold temperatures.
Tesla stock price falls after earnings call reveals 15% profit decline
In its fourth quarter presentation to investors Wednesday, Tesla said the company is “between two major growth waves” and projected that “vehicle volume growth rate may be notably lower.”
The firm announced that it delivered 1.8 million cars in 2023, a nearly 40% increase over 2022. Over 1 million of the cars sold were the Model Y.
The company hinted at a new model in its volume outlook saying that they believe a growth wave will start with, “the global expansion of the next-generation vehicle platform.”
The report showed that gross profit fell 15% year-over-year and margin for the quarter was 17.6%. The company said that artificial intelligence research and the production ramp up of the Cybertruck negatively affected the company’s profitability. Tesla also cut the price of its cars last year.
Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund, Emily DeLetter, James Powel; USA TODAY
