Tesla Model X Recall Issued Over Risk of Potential Brake Failure

Tesla is recalling more than 50,000 Model X vehicles due to a risk that the vehicles may not detect potential brake failures, increasing the risk of an auto accident.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the Tesla Model X recall on October 16, after the automaker determined that the vehicle controller may not have been set up correctly and can fail to notify drivers when brake fluid levels are low. No accidents have been reported in relation to the recall.

Low brake fluid levels can reduce braking performance, hindering a driver’s ability to stop their vehicle. The Tesla Model X has faulty controllers that may fail to show any warning signs of potential brake failures, and drivers may inadvertently continue driving the vehicle with diminished or poor braking ability, the recall notice warns.

According to the recall, Tesla launched an investigation into the brake fluid detection failures in September, after identifying several vehicles in production that failed to indicate and visually warn of low brake fluid levels. The automaker determined that the vehicle controllers were not set to the correct threshold for detecting brake fluid, which prevented the sensor from identifying low fluid levels and displaying a warning light.

The recall impacts approximately 54,676 model year 2021 through 2023 Tesla Model X vehicles produced from February 11, 2021 until September 27, 2023.

Tesla expects to begin notifying owners of the recall by mail on December 12, and indicates that the vehicles do not require a service visit to correct the issue. The automaker provided vehicle owners with a free over-the-air (OTA) software update to correct the controller’s low brake fluid level setting on September 28, 2023, and have implemented the updated software into the production of new vehicles.

Owners of the affected vehicles should ensure they have installed the OTA software version 2023.32.7 or later, and those operating with FSD Beta software will receive the software update during the upcoming scheduled FSD Beta software release.

For more information on the recall, owners may contact Tesla customer service by phone at 1-877-798-3752, and reference recall number SB-23-00-005. They may also contact the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline by phone at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or visit their website at https://www.nhtsa.gov.