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Tesla is recalling almost 200,000 vehicles in the United States after a “software instability” issue affecting the rearview camera display, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recall applies to certain 2023 Model S, X, and Y vehicles equipped with the company’s full self-driving 4.0 software. Tesla has released a free over-the-air software update to address the problem, and affected owners will be notified of the recall starting March 22.
The NHTSA stated that the software bug prevented the rearview camera image from displaying, raising safety concerns. The recall involves a substantial number of Tesla vehicles, with the potential affected count reaching 199,575 units. Tesla shares saw a slight increase in premarket trading following the announcement.
This recall comes on the heels of Tesla’s record recall last month, involving 2 million vehicles due to a flawed system designed to ensure driver attention while using the Autopilot feature. The NHTSA investigated a series of fatal crashes associated with Tesla’s Autopilot software. Tesla has been actively working on overhauling its safety measures and addressing concerns related to its autonomous driving features.
In addition to the recent recalls, Tesla faced a challenging week, with the company providing a less optimistic financial outlook. The automaker indicated that its vehicle volume growth in 2024 might be notably lower than the previous year, citing the focus on launching its “next-generation vehicle” in Texas. This announcement led to a 12% drop in Tesla’s shares.
Tesla’s aggressive price cuts on its electric cars, particularly in Europe, have also been notable. The company aims to stay competitive in the electric vehicle market, especially as it faces challenges from other major players. BYD, the Chinese electric car manufacturer backed by Warren Buffett, surpassed Tesla as the largest EV maker by sales in the fourth quarter. Tesla’s strategic moves and responses to safety concerns will likely influence its market dynamics in the coming months.