Tesla Will Recall Almost 219,000 of Its Vehicles

In the last couple weeks, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that Tesla is recalling 218,868 vehicles in the United States because of delayed rearview camera images that could make a crash more likely. When a car is put into reverse, the rearview camera display in certain models has a delay, which means that there is reduced visibility of objects and people behind the vehicle. If you were injured or a loved one was killed because of an accident involving delayed rearview camera images, you should call the seasoned Chicago-based product liability lawyers of Moll Law Group.

Call Moll Law Group About Your Tesla Claim

The vehicles affected by the recall feature hardware version 3, which Tesla hasn’t produced since January 2024. In its recall notice, the NHTSA pointed out that losing the rearview camera image could increase the chances of a crash, though a driver could check over their shoulder and use their mirrors. There have been no reports of injuries, fatalities, or crashes based on the rearview camera issue. There have been 27 warranty claims and two field reports that might be associated.

The Tesla recall covers the following models: the 2021 Tesla Model Y, 2022 Tesla Model Y, 2023 Tesla Model Y, 2023 Tesla Model 3, 2021 Tesla Model 3, 2022 Tesla Model 3, 2020 Tesla Model Y, 2022 Tesla Model X, 2022 Tesla Model S, 2021 Tesla Model S, 2023 Tesla Model X, 2023 Tesla Model S, 2021 Tesla Model X and 2017 Tesla Model 3.

Tesla has announced it will issue a no-cost over-the-air software update, replacing version 2026.8.6 with 2026.8.6.1.

Although a driver may be backing up slowly, problems with rearview cameras can result in deadly crashes, particularly when small children are involved. It takes just a moment for a small child to be run over by a vehicle or a pedestrian to be struck when a driver lacks visibility.

In such cases, the causes of the accident will need to be closely examined to determine who may be held responsible. There may be situations where the manufacturer is solely to blame, and a product liability lawsuit may be brought. These are lawsuits brought when there is a design, manufacturing or marketing defect. Since the issue with certain models of Teslas involves a delay with the rearview image that can be addressed with a software update, it seems likely to be a design flaw. To recover damages in a case involving injuries or death, we would need to prove liability by establishing strict liability, negligence, breach of warranty, breach of contract, or statutory violations.

There are also circumstances in which multiple causes come together and combine to cause a collision that produces injuries or fatalities. For example, the rearview image delay may be partially to blame but a driver may have acted negligently in reversing too rapidly without waiting for the image to appear and without checking over his or her shoulder. In those cases, it might be appropriate to pursue compensation from both the driver and the manufacturer.

Consult an Experienced Product Liability Attorney

If you or a loved one was injured in a collision involving a Tesla, call the knowledgeable Chicago-based product liability lawyers of Moll Law Group to determine whether you have a viable basis to sue for damages. Complete our online form or call us at 312.462.1700.