Tesla has issued a rare physical recall for a small population of 2023 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles which may have a defective pyrotechnic battery disconnect.
According to the recall notice posted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), only 26 Model 3 and Model Ys are potentially impacted by this issue. However the actual number should be far lower than that with Tesla estimating just 2% of those have the actual condition. The impacted vehicles were built on May 21, 2023 (Model 3) and between May 20-26, 2023 (Model Y).
If you are wondering what a pyrotechnic battery disconnect is, it is a device that disconnects the high voltage battery in the event of a crash or other issue with the battery. The issue of non-functioning disconnects was discovered on April 20, 2023 during validation testing after the supplier introduced a new production line for the disconnect. Despite the issue being discovered in April, a gap in the supplier’s tracking processes led to a small number of defective units being installed in May.
Unlike most of Tesla’s recalls which can be fixed with an over-the-air (OTA) software update, this one will require Tesla to replace the battery disconnect, which will of course be done for free.
No similar recall notice has been posted by Transport Canada, and likely won’t be as Canada is now supplied with most of our Model 3 and Model Y cars from China.
You can read the full recall notice below. (h/t: autoevolution)
RCLRPT-23V434-8034
