Tesla has recalled almost half a million vehicles after safety officials raised concerns about potential flaws that might increase the likelihood of road accidents.
According to Reuters, the recall affects Model 3 and Model S automobiles manufactured between 2017 and 2020, as well as Model S cars manufactured after 2014. The Model 3 recall is due to reported concerns with the rearview camera harness, which “may be damaged by the opening and shutting of the trunk lid,” preventing the camera picture from correctly showing, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In the case of the Model S, the NHTSA says that malfunctioning trunk latches are causing difficulties with the sedan’s front hood. According to the EPA, the latch flaws might force the hood to open abruptly, obstructing the driver’s view while driving.
“On some Model S vehicles, the latch assembly may be aligned too far rearward,” the NHTSA wrote in its filing. “While this alignment does not impact latching of the primary latch with the frunk striker, it may prevent latching of the secondary latch.”
News of the recall came shortly after Tesla agreed to disable “Passenger Play,” a feature that allows people to play video games on the cars’ built-in touch screens. Regulators called on Tesla to lock access to the feature because it could distract the driver while the vehicle is moving.
“Following the opening of a preliminary evaluation of Tesla’s ‘Passenger Play,’ Tesla informed the agency that it is changing the functionality of this feature,” the NHTSA said in a statement. “In a new software update, ‘Passenger Play’ will now be locked and unusable when the vehicle is in motion.”