Tesla will be contacting the owners of certain 2016 Model X crossover SUVs about a safety problem affecting the third row seating. According to the defect report, variations in recliner manufacturing could lead to insufficient tooth engagement and failure to meet the required holding torque specification. In a severe collision the seat could exhibit excessive forward movement, increasing the chance of injury to occupants. Continue reading
Category Archives: Tesla Motors
Tesla Model S Seat Belt Restraint Problem
Tesla will be asking the owners of certain 2012-2015 Model S vehicles to return to their dealerships to repair a problem affecting the seat belt restraint system. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the driver and/or front passenger seat belt anchor plate may have be improperly connected to the outboard lap pretensioner. If the seat belt anchor plate is not properly secured, the seat belt will not provide sufficient restraint force during an accident. Continue reading
Tesla Model S Charging Adapter Could Overheat
Tesla has acknowledged a problem affecting certain Universal Mobile Connectors (“UMC”) NEMA 14-50 adapters used to charge Tesla Model S vehicles. According to the recall report, a variety of factors such as corrosion, physical damage to receptacles, or inappropriate installation of electrical outlets can cause higher than normal electrical resistance. Electrical resistance heating in the adapter or at the wall socket could lead to melting of the adapter, cord or wall receptacle. There is also the possibility of electrical arcing that could lead to fire. Continue reading
Tesla Model S Fire Hurts Shares
As Tesla prepares to increase production of their Model S sports car as well as introduce other electric vehicles, a fire that destroyed a Model S on Tuesday outside Seattle, has Tesla Motors chairman, CEO and co-founder Elon Musk defending the safety of electric cars. Continue reading
Tesla Model S EV Recalled For Seats
Tesla has announced their first recall affecting certain 2013 Model S sports cars because of a possible installation defect that could cause the passenger seat to not stay in the upright position during hard braking or an accident. Continue reading
Auto Lender Practices Questioned
Last month, U.S. automobile lenders received subpoenas from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) over the sale of extended warranties, add-ons and other financial products. Regulators are probing whether the terms and prices of these products are adequately disclosed to consumers and are questioning if some lenders may be using them as a way of boosting profits. Continue reading
Tesla Pays Off Millions In Government Loans
Electric car maker Tesla has paid off $465 million back to the Energy Department for loans they received in 2010. The company was able to pay back the loan nine years early due to money raised in the markets, and revenue from selling green energy credits to other automakers. Continue reading
Tesla Supercharger Stations Unveiled In California
Tesla Motor’s highly anticipated charging network has finally been unveiled to the public with the revelation of it first six supercharger stations. According to Tesla, the stations will safely deliver up to 4.5 times more electricity to the battery giving approximately half a charge in half an hour. It will do this by using special cables that connect directly to the battery, bypassing any on board charging equipment. The most unique thing about these charging stations is that many will be equipped with solar cells mounted on the weather canopy that will generate more energy over the course of a year than is consumed by Tesla vehicles using the supercharger stations, resulting in a positive transfer of power back to the electricity grid. Current active stations in California can be found in Barstow, Hawthorne, Lebec, Coalinga, Gilroy and Folsom. By 2015, Tesla hopes to expand their supercharger network to over 100 stations.
