Interestingly, Tesla became aware of the problem when it tested seat strength ahead of the Model X’s European launch. During a frontal-crash test using stricter European Union standards, a latch meant to hold the seat upright collapsed under the weight of a simulated passenger.
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Besides the “bioweapon” mode, a HEPA air filtration system that Tesla claims virtually wipes out allergens and contaminants from the car’s cabin, the Model S got a new front fascia and headlights similar to the Model X, upgrades in its charging system, and new interior décor choices.
Tesla said it was releasing the recall in an abundance of care in the United States although it was not mandated to do so. The Model S, the first electric vehicle to be fully designed and built by the Silicon Valley auto maker, starts at $71,500. The procedure to fix all recalled vehicles will take about five weeks, Jon McNeil informed reporters on a conference call. McNeill said he expects Futuris to bear the cost of Tesla’s recall because the action stems from a manufacturing error, not a design flaw.
The defect is with the locking hinge, which is provided to Tesla by an outside supplier and allows the seat to fold forward and to recline.
After informing its customers of the defect, Tesla will issue a formal recall through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Tesla Motors has never followed the model-year scheme almost every other automaker uses to denote changes in styling and options, instead offering software updates on a regular basis to a piece of hardware that’s remained generally the same.
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In the meantime, Tesla says it is working on constructing the new seats as fast as possible.
