Tesla’s Powerwall 2 recall has expanded beyond Australia, with U.S. regulators confirming a similar recall affecting roughly 10,500 units.
The issue centers on a batch of Powerwall 2 home battery systems that contain lithium-ion cells capable of overheating, potentially producing smoke or, in rare cases, flames. While no injuries have been reported, five incidents led to minor property damage.
The recall, published November 13 by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), applies to Powerwall 2 units manufactured in the United States and sold between November 2020 and December 2022. These batteries may “stop functioning during normal use,” according to the CPSC, which can trigger thermal runaway.
The CPSC notes that Tesla received 22 reports of overheating, including six instances of smoke and five fires.
The affected batteries were also the subject of a similar recall in Australia in September, where local regulators documented overheating events tied to faulty cells supplied by a third-party manufacturer. Tesla acted quickly in that market by remotely discharging impacted systems to reduce the risk of fire—a tactic now being replicated in the U.S.
Tesla says impacted homeowners should check their Tesla app for a notification confirming whether their Powerwall 2 is included in the recall. The company has already remotely drained power from units that remain online, preventing customer systems from charging until a physical replacement can be completed.
The replacement is free, and Tesla’s support team will coordinate installations directly with owners.
Despite concerns from some Powerwall customers in other markets, Canada has not issued a recall for Powerwall 2 systems, and no safety warnings have been published by Canadian regulators or the company.
While the number is small relative to the more than 1,00,000 Powerwall units Tesla has deployed globally, the company is taking a proactive approach by limiting charge levels and offering free replacements.
