Tesla has initiated a recall for the Model 3 and Model Y over a potential fault in the affected vehicles’ pyrotechnic battery disconnect.
Unlike previous recalls from the electric vehicle maker, this particular issue can not be fixed through an over-the-air software update.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said about 26 Model 3 and Model Y units from the 2023 model year are affected by the recall. An estimated 2% of the potentially affected vehicles are likely fitted with the faulty component.
The NHTSA outlined the issue with the affected Model 3 and Model Y’s pyrotechnic battery disconnect: “Tesla vehicles are equipped with a pyrotechnic battery disconnect that isolates the high voltage (HV) battery when the vehicle detects certain collisions or specific issues within its HV battery. Affected vehicles may have been manufactured with a non-functioning pyrotechnic battery disconnect."
Tesla initially identified a non-functioning pyrotechnic battery disconnect during a validation test April 20. An investigation was initiated by both Tesla and the supplier, Joyson Safety Systems, on April 26. The supplier then sent additional pyrotechnic battery disconnects from its new production line on May 5 since the investigation at the time did not indicate that additional units were affected with the same fault.
In late May, both Tesla and Joyson completed their investigation, with both companies determining one faulty pyrotechnic battery disconnect discovered April 20 ended up being shipped to Tesla, reportedly due to a gap in Joyson’s traceability systems. Tesla then conducted a risk assessment before filing a voluntary recall to address the issue. No warranty claims or field reports related to the issue have been reported to the EV maker.
Considering this recall involves faulty hardware, Tesla could not fix the issue through an over-the-air software update. Instead, Tesla Service will replace the pyrotechnic battery disconnect on the affected vehicles at no cost to the customer.
