Tesla Motors – California Lemon Law blog

(Recall: SB-25-16-005 / NHTSA Campaign 25V-690)

If you own or are considering buying a 2025 Model 3 or 2026 Model Y from Tesla, there’s a safety issue you should know about. Certain vehicles built between early March and mid-August 2025 are affected by a battery pack contactor fault that may result in an unexpected loss of drive power. This article explains what the issue is, which vehicles are affected, what the risks are, and what owners should do next.

What is the issue?

Tesla has determined that certain 2025 Model 3 and 2026 Model Y vehicles are equipped with a battery pack contactor manufactured with an InTiCa solenoid that may have a poor coil termination connection.

If the contactor opens unexpectedly while the vehicle is in drive, the driver loses the ability to apply torque through the accelerator pedal, resulting in a loss of propulsion. This sudden loss of drive power could increase the risk of a collision.

There is no warning prior to the failure. However, when it occurs, the driver receives an immediate visual alert on the user interface instructing them to safely pull over.

Which vehicles are affected?

2025 Tesla Model 3 vehicles manufactured between March 8 and August 12, 2025.
2026 Tesla Model Y vehicles manufactured between March 15 and August 15, 2025.

Tesla estimates roughly 13,000 vehicles in total are affected, including around 5,000 Model 3s and nearly 8,000 Model Ys produced within those date ranges.

Timeline of Investigation & Recall

August 8, 2025: Tesla’s Field Reliability team began investigating service cases where vehicles were unable to enter drive and high coil resistance was detected in the pack contactor.
August 8 – September 26, 2025: Tesla collected contactors from the field and performed detailed failure analysis.
September 29 – October 2, 2025: Tesla reviewed the failure analysis results, along with repair and production records.
October 3, 2025: Tesla completed its investigation and determined the scope of affected vehicles, initiating a voluntary recall.
December 9, 2025: Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed to customers.

As of early October 2025, Tesla had identified 36 warranty claims and 26 field reports related to this issue, with no known injuries, collisions, or fatalities.

What is the remedy?

Tesla Service will correct the problem by replacing the high-voltage battery pack contactor. The updated parts do not include the defective InTiCa solenoid and have improved coil termination connections. The repair takes approximately one hour to complete, and Tesla will notify all affected owners by mail.

Why this matters

Safety risk

A sudden loss of propulsion without warning can be dangerous, especially when driving at highway speeds or in traffic. While no injuries have been reported, Tesla’s recall emphasizes the importance of addressing this issue promptly.

Financial and resale considerations

Unresolved recalls can affect resale value, financing, and insurance. Ensuring the recall repair is completed not only improves safety but also helps preserve the vehicle’s long-term value.

What owners should do if their Tesla vehicle is affected.

Schedule a service appointment through the Tesla app or by contacting your nearest Tesla Service Center.
Pay attention to alerts while driving. If a visual warning or loss of power occurs, pull over safely and contact Tesla support immediately.
Keep documentation of the recall repair for future reference or resale.
If buying used, confirm with the seller that any open recalls have been completed.

This recall serves as a reminder that even advanced electric vehicles like Tesla are not immune to hardware issues. While Tesla can often fix software defects through over-the-air updates, mechanical components such as contactors and solenoids require physical inspection and replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does this recall affect all 2025 Model 3 and 2026 Model Y vehicles?
A: No. Only vehicles built between March and August 2025 with the affected InTiCa solenoid contactor are included.

Q: My car feels fine — do I still need the repair?
A: Yes. The failure can occur without warning, so even if your car shows no symptoms, Tesla recommends completing the replacement.

Q: How long will the repair take?
A: The contactor replacement typically takes about one hour and is performed free of charge.

Q: Can I continue driving before the repair?
A: Tesla advises that owners continue driving normally but schedule service as soon as possible. If your vehicle shows a propulsion loss alert, pull over safely and contact Tesla.

Conclusion

If you drive a 2025 Tesla Model 3 or 2026 Model Y, this recall deserves your attention. The contactor defect can cause sudden loss of drive power, posing a potential safety risk. Tesla is replacing the affected parts at no cost to owners, with notifications beginning December 2025.

If you’ve recently purchased a Tesla Cybertruck, you’re probably enjoying the attention it brings — but there’s something new owners need to be aware of. Tesla has issued a recall affecting about 46,000 2024-2025 Cybertrucks due to a faulty exterior trim panel that could detach while driving.

This isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s a real safety issue and could raise serious Lemon Law concerns here in California.

What’s the defect?

The problem lies in a trim piece along the windshield, called the cantrail panel. Tesla says it may have been attached using the wrong adhesive. As a result, the panel could come loose and separate from the vehicle while you’re on the road.

If you’ve already noticed unusual wind noise or seen Cybertruck owners post about missing trim — this might explain it.

What’s Tesla doing about it?

Tesla has already started performing repairs, which involve replacing the entire cantrail assembly. Owners aren’t expected to pay out of pocket for the fix, but the availability of parts — and service appointments — can vary widely.

Why Lemon Law applies here in California

Tesla has had a mixed track record when it comes to customer service and timely repairs. If this defect has left your vehicle in the shop for a long period, or if your Cybertruck has other unresolved issues, you could be protected under California’s Lemon Law.

You may qualify if:

You’ve experienced repeated or serious safety-related issues
Tesla can’t fix the defect within a reasonable number of attempts
Your vehicle has been out of service for 30+ total days under warranty

It doesn’t matter if your truck is new or leased — what matters is whether it’s safe, reliable, and performing the way it should.

What you can do right now:

Check your paperwork to see if you’ve already reported trim or body issues
Schedule your repair as soon as possible — and keep all documentation
If you’ve already had problems with build quality or multiple repair visits, it may be time to explore your legal options

Don’t assume you have to live with poor fit and finish. California law is on your side, and in most cases, you can pursue a Lemon Law claim without paying anything out of pocket. If your Cybertruck has already spent more time in the shop than on the road, let’s talk. You may be entitled to a replacement or refund — and we can walk you through what that looks like. Call Now for a FREE Case Review at 888-395-3666 or fill in the contact form at the top of the page. Our experienced team is here to help you navigate the process and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Don’t wait – take action today to protect your rights as a California consumer!

If you are a Tesla owner and you have a Lectron Vortex Tesla Supercharger (NACS) to Combined Charging System (CCS) adapters in your vehicle, you may be contacted by Dropcases Ltd., regarding a potential problem affecting the safety of your charging system.

Some NACS to CCS adapters may not securely latch to the charger. An unsecured adapter may be disconnected without shutting off the charger power, increasing the risk of an electrical shock.

Dropcases LTD, the manufacturer of the adapters, became aware of the the problem in April 2024 when they saw a YouTube video showing a customer who was unable to latch their charging unit to a Tesla Supercharger. Dropcases LTD contacted the user, requesting the return of the adapter for evaluation and an internal investigation was initiated. It was determined that an error in the supplier’s processes resulted in a limited number of non-conforming units being shipped to customers, specifically within the first 1,121 units. Out of an abundance of caution, Dropcases LTD chose to recall the part.

According to the defect report, the adapters affected include certain Vortex Plug Tesla Supercharger to CCS Adapter 500A / 1,000V. The adapter enables charging at Tesla Supercharger stations for non-Tesla CCS1 electric vehicles. The issue affects the NACS latching mechanism on certain adapters.

Some units feature a latch pin that deviates from the intended design, impacting secure locking of the charger coupler. If the adapter does not latch securely, the charger coupler can potentially be forcibly removed by the user without depressing the NACS latch. If the adapter does not securely latch and a user attempts to disconnect it from the charger without releasing the NACS latch and cutting power from the charging station, there is a heightened risk of an electrical event, which could increase the risk of injury.

Dropcases Limited will be sending owners notification letters with instructions on how to get the adapter replaced. These letters are expected to be mailed May 3, 2024. NHTSA Campaign Number: 24E-033.

Tesla, the renowned electric vehicle manufacturer, has initiated a comprehensive recall affecting a wide range of its vehicles, spanning from 2012 to 2024 models, due to a problem that compromises the visibility of critical safety information on the instrument panel. This recall specifically targets owners of the 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and the 2024 Cybertruck. The core issue revolves around the display of crucial safety information, which could be obscured due to an incorrect font size, potentially hampering the driver’s ability to stay informed about the vehicle’s safety status.

The problem came to Tesla’s attention in January 2024 during a routine compliance audit that involved a 2023 Tesla Model Y. It was then that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) alerted Tesla to the non-compliance of the vehicle with specific regulatory standards regarding the letter font size height, as stipulated in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) No. 135, specifically section S5.5.5(a). This prompted Tesla to conduct an exhaustive review of its manufacturing and software records, leading to the decision to issue a recall.

Since identifying the issue on January 24, 2024, Tesla has uncovered three warranty claims potentially linked to this problem, underscoring its prevalence and significance. Despite these findings, Tesla has reported no known crashes, injuries, or fatalities related to this condition, highlighting the company’s proactive approach in addressing potential safety concerns.

The defect pertains to the display of the brake, park, and antilock brake system (ABS) warning lights on the instrument panel. The font size used for these crucial warning indicators was found to be below the minimum requirements set forth by federal motor vehicle safety standards concerning hydraulic and electric brake systems, as well as light vehicle brake systems. This non-compliance could potentially obscure critical safety warnings, posing a risk to drivers and passengers alike.

In response to this issue, Tesla has initiated an over-the-air (OTA) software update, specifically designed to correct the font size of the Brake, Park, and ABS visual warning indicators. The update ensures that the letter font size is increased to not less than 3.2 mm (1/8 inch), aligning with the requirements of FMVSS Nos. 105 and 135. This software update began rolling out to certain affected vehicles in late January 2024, with the initial deployment featuring software release 2023.44.30.13. Tesla plans to extend this OTA update to all remaining affected vehicles with an upcoming release scheduled for early February 2024.

Tesla’s commitment to rectifying this issue is evident in its recall number SB-24-00-003 and the NHTSA campaign number 24V-051. This recall reflects Tesla’s dedication to ensuring the safety and compliance of its vehicles with federal safety standards. Vehicle owners affected by this recall can expect to be contacted by Tesla for the software update, reaffirming the company’s commitment to the safety and satisfaction of its customers.

Tesla has identified a significant safety issue affecting certain 2021-2023 Tesla Model S and Model X vehicles. The problem lies in the installation of incorrect steering wheel airbags during vehicle servicing. This issue predominantly arose during the retrofitting of vehicles with alternate steering wheels based on customer requests.

Discovery of the Issue

The problem came to Tesla’s attention in October 2023, when Tesla Service in Europe encountered 12 instances where vehicles with round steering wheels were retrofitted with yoke steering wheels. However, there was no confirmation of the appropriate driver airbag variant installation for the yoke steering wheels. This prompted Tesla to initiate an engineering study in the U.S., encompassing 10 vehicles. Of the three vehicles inspected, one was found to have the wrong driver airbag variant, meant for the round steering wheel.

The Nature of the Problem

At the core of this issue is the mismatch between the steering wheel design and the driver airbag variant. The round steering wheel and the yoke steering wheel each require a distinct driver airbag design. During servicing, some vehicles were erroneously equipped with a driver airbag variant mismatched to the steering wheel type. This discrepancy can potentially compromise airbag performance during deployment, elevating the risk of injury in the event of a collision.

Recall and Safety Concerns

As a result of these findings, Tesla decided to recall all vehicles that underwent a steering wheel retrofit – either from a round to a yoke steering wheel or vice versa. This decision underscores the potential safety risks associated with the airbag performance in these retrofitted vehicles.

Official Recall Information

Tesla has issued a recall with the number SB-23-20-005. Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has assigned the campaign number 23V-743 to this recall. This recall highlights the critical importance of matching the correct airbag variant to the specific design of a vehicle’s steering wheel.

A manufacturing error will have the owners of certain 2022-2023 Tesla Model Y all-electric SUVs, returning to their dealerships for an inspection and possibly repairs. The second-row seat frame in these vehicles may have been improperly secured.

Tesla first became aware of the problem in December 2022 when an operator in Tesla’s Freemont, CA manufacturing facility identified a second-row driver-side seat back frame bolt that was not torqued to the proper specification.

The second-row seat belt loads go through the lower seat frame, and if the bolts that secure the frame to the seat backs are not torqued to specifications, the seat belt system may not perform as designed during a collision. Occupants seated in the second-row seating positions could experience an increase in the risk of injury during an accident.

According to the defect report, on some Model Y vehicles, the second-row driver-side seat back frame (second-row driver-side and center seating positions) and the second-row passenger-side seat back frame (second-row passenger-side seating position) are secured to the lower seat frame with 4 bolts per seat back. During the supplier’s production of both seat back frames for certain Model Y vehicles, one or more of the bolts that secure the seat back frames to the lower seat frame may not have been torqued to specifications.

Tesla has identified 5 warranty claims, received between December 9, 2022, and February 14, 2023, that may be related to the problem described above. Tesla is not aware of any injuries or deaths that may be related to the condition.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their Tesla Service Centers to have the second-row seat back frames inspected and the bolts will be torqued. Tesla’s number for this recall is SB-23-13-001 and the NHTSA Campaign Number is 23V-130.

If you are the unfortunate owner of a lemon like a Tesla Model Y all-electric SUV with persistent defects that the manufacturer is unable to fix, you may feel like you are out of options. However, there is hope: the California Lemon Law provides some protections for owners of defective vehicles, and a lemon law lawyer can help you navigate the process.

A lemon law lawyer can help you understand your rights under the California Lemon Law and negotiate with the manufacturer on your behalf. They can also help you prepare and submit a claim to the manufacturer and, if necessary, file a lawsuit to protect your rights. Lemon law cases can be complex, and having an experienced attorney on your side can make all the difference in the outcome of your case.

If you are having repeated problems with your Tesla Model Y and you think it could be a Lemon, or if you have any questions about your rights under the California Lemon Law, please call our office at 1-888-395-3666 or fill in the “Case Review” form at the top of this page, and get some great Lemon Law advice!

Tesla will be performing an over-the-air (OTA) software update on certain Model 3, Model S, Model X, and Model Y vehicles because the automatic window reversal system does not meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Requirements for power-operated window systems. Over one million Tesla vehicles are included in this recall.

The vehicles affected include:

2017-2022 Tesla Model 3
2021-2022 Tesla Model S
2021-2022 Tesla Model X
2020-2022 Tesla Model Y

Tesla first became aware of the problem in August 2022, during production testing. Technicians identified a window automatic reversal system that had greater than expected variations in response to pinch detection. Tesla conducted additional testing on multiple models using several window positions, multiple spring rates, and gap designations. Tesla determined that the pinch detection and retraction performance in the test results exceeded the requirements of FMVSS 118, Section 5 (automatic reversal systems). When closing, the window may exert more force than safety requirements permit before retracting. The window may also retract less than the distance required. If a window is closing and detects an obstruction, the condition may increase the risk of a pinching injury to the occupant.

Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update of the automatic window reversal system. Notification letters are expected to be mailed on November 15, 2022. Tesla is not aware of any warranty claims, field reports, crashes, injuries, or deaths related to this condition. Tesla’s number for this recall is SB-22-00-013 and the NHTSA campaign number is 22V-702.

Tesla will be contacting the owners of certain 2021-2022 Tesla model vehicles because of a problem that could cause the infotainment central processing unit (CPU) to malfunction.

The vehicles affected by this problem include:

2022 Tesla Model 3
2021-2022 Tesla Model S
2021-2022 Tesla Model X
2022 Tesla Model Y

In December 2021 during routine High Temperature Operation Endurance (HTOE) testing on the Model 3 and Model Y vehicle platform central processing unit (CPU), throttling was detected from thermal protections being engaged. An investigation into thermal management was initiated using vehicle alerts to follow the condition in the field. During this time, Tesla Engineering worked on a series of test experiments to identify the potential cause of the overheating condition. In April 2022, Tesla completed its investigation and confirmed the suspected root cause and affected vehicle population. The findings were reviewed and a recall was initiated.

According to the defect report, during fast-charging or preparation for fast-charging, the infotainment CPU may not cool sufficiently. Higher than expected temperatures could cause the CPU to slow processing or restart, and a lagging or blank center screen display. The problem could cause the rear-view camera display, windshield visibility control settings, drive modes (i.e., Drive, Neutral, or Reverse), and telltales to be unavailable.

On May 3, 2022, Tesla began deploying an OTA firmware update that will improve the management of the CPU temperature and associated communications with elevated temperature operation. This remedy will mitigate temperature elevations in the CPU when the vehicle is fast-charging or preparing to fast-charge, which will prevent slow processing or restart. Tesla’s number for this recall is SB-22-00-009 and the NHTSA campaign number is 22V-296.

Category Archives: Tesla Motors

2025 Tesla Model 3 & 2026 Tesla Model Y Battery Pack Contactor Failure