Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) is recalling 578,607 vehicles in the United States because loud music or other sounds broadcast by its “Boombox” function may prevent pedestrians from hearing a mandated warning signal of an approaching automobile, according to a US regulator.
Tesla has issued ten recalls in the United States in the last four months, four of which were issued in the last two weeks. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been scrutinizing the Texas-based corporation more closely (NHTSA). Tesla stated that it was not aware of any incidents, injuries, or deaths as a result of the vehicle alert issue that prompted the latest recall.
The “Boombox function” permits noises to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may conceal the mandatory Pedestrian Warning System sound. Tesla is recalling select 2020-2022 Model S, Model X, Model Y, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, they do not meet a federal motor vehicle safety guideline for minimum sound requirements for electric vehicles.
When the car is in Drive, Neutral, or Reverse mode, Tesla will launch an over-the-air software upgrade that will disable the Boombox feature. The majority of Tesla’s recent recalls have been due to software problems.
Several of Tesla’s recent recalls have occurred shortly after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) voiced concerns about certain features or complaints. Tesla’s driver assistance system Autopilot, as well as an in-vehicle game function, are being investigated by the regulator.
Under pressure from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Tesla agreed to recall 135,000 vehicles with potentially defective touchscreen displays in January 2021. In that situation, the NHTSA took the unprecedented step of requesting the recall in writing.
Electric vehicles are often harder to hear at lower speeds than gasoline-powered engines. Under rules mandated by Congress, automakers must add sounds to electric vehicles when they are moving at speeds of up to 18.6 miles per hour (30 km per hour) to help prevent injuries among pedestrians, cyclists, and the blind.
NHTSA has said that at higher speeds, tire noise, wind resistance, and other factors eliminate the need for alert sounds.
