Tesla on Thursday said that it is recalling Model X sport utility vehicles to fix second-row seat-backs which might shift forward during crashes.
Internal testing revealed that cables in second-row fold-flat seats in 2016 and 2017 model year vehicles might need to be adjusted to « ensure the safety » of those riding inside, a Tesla spokesperson said in an email response to an AFP inquiry.
« Although Tesla has not received reports of any issues or accidents relating to this condition, we will be conducting a voluntary recall to inspect the affected vehicles and confirm whether any adjustment is needed, » the statement said.
The number of Model X vehicles being recalled was estimated at 11,000, with only a small percentage expected to have the seat cable problem.
In messages sent to Model X owners, Tesla offered to tend to inspecting and adjusting seats using its mobile service, giving an option of bringing vehicles into service centers.
« Until then, there is no issue with continuing to drive your Model X, » the Tesla spokesperson said.
« We just ask that you temporarily avoid having two adults sit in the second row left and center seating positions at the same time. »
While Tesla cars have been met with high demand and glowing safety reviews, the Silicon Valley-based firm has struggled to crank models off the assembly line.
Tesla announced early this month that it missed its production target for the Model 3 sedan, the first mid-priced electric vehicle for the mass market in its lineup.
The electric car maker started taking reservations for its mass-market sedan in March 2016, which is priced at $35,000 (29,824 Euros) to start and is key to the company’s plans to expand market share.
The company said it has received some 450,000 pre-orders for the Model 3.
Tesla last week said it was delaying the planned launch of an electric transport truck, diverting resources to step up production of its Model 3 sedan and to produce batteries for storm-ravaged Puerto Rico.
Tesla last week also announced that it increased production of Model S and Model X vehicles to an all-time best quarter of 26,150 vehicles, and anticipated it would deliver 100,000 of the luxury models in 2017 – a third more than in 2016.
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