Tesla’s ongoing challenges with vehicle safety have escalated with its latest recall of nearly 700,000 cars in the United States, adding to a series of issues that affected over 2.7 million vehicles in 2024. The company’s 15th recall this year targets tire pressure monitoring system malfunctions in its 2024 Cybertruck, 2017-2025 Model 3, and 2020-2025 Model Y vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) highlighted the potential risk of improperly inflated tires, which could increase crash likelihood.
The recall underscores Tesla’s continuing scrutiny from safety regulators, with earlier recalls addressing faults such as hood detection failures, malfunctioning seat belt warnings, defective rearview cameras, and issues with windshield wipers. While many problems have been resolved through over-the-air software updates, these recurring defects have drawn concern from the public and regulatory authorities alike.
This year’s most extensive recall involved 1.8 million Tesla vehicles in July due to a failure to detect unlatched hoods, risking obstruction of the driver’s view. Such high-profile incidents, coupled with Tesla’s historical safety controversies, have amplified criticism of the brand. A report by iSeeCars revealed that Tesla Model S and Model Y vehicles are among the most dangerous cars on the road, with 5.6 fatal accidents per billion miles traveled—double the national average.
Despite these issues, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has maintained that Teslas are the safest cars available, a claim supported by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which has named Tesla cars as Top Safety Picks.
Tesla’s market performance has seen fluctuations amid the recalls. On Friday, Tesla’s stock initially dropped by 6% but rebounded by 1% as of late morning trading, reflecting investor uncertainty paired with confidence in Tesla’s long-term growth.
While Tesla faces public scrutiny, it is not the only automaker contending with recalls. Chrysler has issued 67 recalls in 2024, far surpassing Tesla’s count. However, Tesla’s recalls have drawn more attention due to its position as an innovator in electric vehicle technology and its ambitious safety claims.
As Tesla navigates these challenges, the company’s ability to address safety concerns while maintaining its technological edge will be pivotal in shaping public perception and market success.