Latest Tesla Recall: Warning Light Font Size

Another day, another Tesla recall.

This time, the electric vehicle manufacturer is calling back some 2.2 million vehicles because the font size on a warning lights panel is too small. That makes the cars non-compliant with federal safety standards, according to U.S. regulators.

“Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash,” the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said.

The recall covers a wide range of Tesla cars, including 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles.

Tesla said it plans to notify owners of recalled cars via mail by March 30. It will address the issue through a software update.

Owners can also check the NHTSA website to see if their cars are covered by the recall.

The recall comes as safety concerns continue to swirl around Tesla. It is one of a slew of recalls - many addressed via software updates - issued by the company in recent years.

NHTSA recently ramped up an ongoing investigation into steering issues affecting more than 330,000 Tesla vehicles, the New York Times reports.

“The probe, which was opened in July, reviewed more than 2,000 complaints about loss of steering control in the 2023 Model Y and Model 3 vehicles,” according to the Times. “Tesla drivers who made complaints said they had been unable to turn the steering wheel, or that turning it required increased effort.”

The company is also facing increasing heat over its Autopilot driver-assist technology. Tesla in recent months has recalled millions of vehicles in the U.S. and China to update the Autopilot system.

NHTSA has been looking into hundreds of crashes involving Teslas in Autopilot mode. Several people have died in those crashes, including a California man killed in 2018 when his car collided with a freeway barrier near Redwood City.

Legal Rights for California Tesla Owners

California car owners and lessors have some important rights and protections under the state’s lemon law. You do not need to wait for a recall to get a defective vehicle fixed.

The lemon law, officially known as the Song Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, forces automakers to perform a full range of repairs on cars while they are under warranty. It also requires the companies to buy back (or replace, in some cases) vehicles that they are unable to or simply decline to fix. 

There is no specific number of repair requests or attempts that must happen before the buyback or replace requirement kicks in. An experienced California lemon lawyer can help you understand your rights and take action.

Speak with a Los Angeles Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a Los Angeles lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a Los Angeles lemon law attorney.