Thousands of Teslas recalled over brake fluid bug
- Reference: 1697566568
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2023/10/17/55000_teslas_recalled_over_brake/
- Source link:
Tesla submitted a report regarding the issue on October 11 and an acknowledgment was sent out on October 16.
Some 54,676 vehicles could be affected by the issue where the low brake fluid might not be detected, thus a warning indicator might not be shown. According to the report, the result could be a vehicle driven with low brake fluid and impaired braking performance.
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As per the [2]safety recall report [PDF]: "On certain MY 2021-2023 Model X vehicles, the vehicle controller that detects the sensor voltage that indicates brake fluid level may not have a sufficient threshold range at low fluid levels."
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As of October 10, Tesla was not aware of any crashes, injuries, or deaths related to the issue.
Problems were first noted on September 19. After an investigation, Tesla made a voluntary recall determination. A software update to deal with the problem began an over-the-air (OTA) deployment on September 28. New vehicles will come ready-updated.
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The remedy will not, however, hit (pun not intended) vehicles operating with the Full Service-Driving (FSD) Beta until the next scheduled FSD Beta software release.
[6]Tesla goons will buy anything – including these $150 beers
[7]Musk in hot water with SEC for failure to comply with subpoena
[8]Ford, BMW, Honda to steer bidirectional EV charging standard
[9]Morgan Stanley values Tesla's super-hyped supercomputer at up to $500B
While the notification is dubbed a "recall," the fact that Tesla can send out an OTA update to deal with the issue means that there is no need for owners of affected vehicles to trundle to their nearest service center.
Several recall notifications have been made regarding Teslas over the years, and [10]six for the 2023 Model X alone , according to the NHTSA. While some, such as the alarmingly titled [11]"Full Self-Driving Software May Cause Crash" [PDF], were corrected via OTA updates, others, such as issues with the seat belt pre-tensioner anchor, required a trip to the service center.
Tesla is also hardly the only vehicle manufacturer to have recalls flagged up by the NHTSA. In September, a [12]"park outside" recall was issued by Hyundai Motor America and Kia America for more than 3.3 million vehicles due to the risk of fire. In this instance, leaking fluid from an anti-lock brake module could result in an electrical short.
As with the Model X issue, the "park outside" problem has not resulted in any injuries. However, there were several related vehicle fires. It'll take more than an OTA update to deal with those. ®
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[2] https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2023/RCLRPT-23V679-9146.PDF
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[6] https://www.theregister.com/2023/10/16/tesla_beer/
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2023/10/06/musk_in_hot_water_with/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2023/09/13/ford_bmw_honda_partner_to/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2023/09/12/teslas_dojo_valuation/
[10] https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2023/TESLA/MODEL%252520X#recalls
[11] https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2023/RCLRPT-23V085-3451.PDF
[12] https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/consumer-alert-kia-and-hyundai-park-outside
[13] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
To mangle the well-know proverb: "if a sensor throws an alarm, and no app records it, did it happen?"
The tank could run low in just a few pedal presses due to the extreme pressure. There aren't many places where failure will only cause a slow leak.
We really do need a new name
For these "required updates" as opposed to a "recall" because they aren't actually recalling anything.
In the same way M$ computers aren't "recalled" each patch Tuesday.
Re: We really do need a new name
How about recoil?
Re: We really do need a new name
Failure to implement required functionality.
What is clear Tesla set the wrong value in their controller software for some thing as well known and understood as a brake fluid sensor. Which raises questions about their attention to other important operational variables such as their much hyped driver assist features …
Lucas called
They're suing over their patent on electrical shorts in road-going vehicles.
Re: Lucas called
Eh, ignore them, they’re just blowing smoke :)
...to trundle to their nearest service center
In other news Tesla Service Center|re's will be modified to have doors at both ends.
Just in case drivers are unable to stop in time.
Patch
// uint8_t brakeFluidStatus = getBrakeFluidStatus(&car);
// if (brakeFluidStatus & BRAKE_FLUID_STATUS_LOW_FLAG) {
// setBrakeFluidLowLight(&car, true);
// }
// ^^ don't bother with the sensor
//
uint32_t timeSinceLastService = getTimeSinceLastService(&car);
if (timeSinceLastService > 94608000) {
// if it has not been serviced in 3 years, just nudge the user to visit one
setBrakeFluidLowLight(&car, true);
if (timeSinceLastService > 126227704) {
// ok this user is taking the piss. Let's set the engine warning light
setEngineFailureLight(&car, true);
}
}
I was taught to check my brake fluid manually. Is that no longer possible on Tesla? (It is well-described in my 2023 Toyota Owner Manual.)
I know that even unto the 1991 Miata there was a float-switch, but that has given trouble, both false alarm and fail to alert (sticky switch or float).