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From Tesla: Model X Safety Notification

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AnOutsider

S532 # XS27
Moderator
Apr 3, 2009
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Received this email today


We are emailing to inform you of a proactive action Tesla is taking to ensure your safety as a Model X owner. Tesla's internally conducted crash testing demonstrates that Model X will be the first SUV to receive the highest safety rating in every category, and we are committed to ensuring that it remains the safest SUV in the world.

Recently, during an internal seat strength test that was conducted prior to the start of Model X deliveries in Europe, the recliner in a third row Model X seat unexpectedly slipped. The recliner, which is provided to us by an outside supplier, is the locking hinge that allows the third row seat back to fold forward, and if a recliner were to slip during a crash, the seat back could move forward. Similar testing was conducted before the start of deliveries in North America, with 15 confirmation tests having been conducted without a single recliner failure. Despite these prior successful tests and no reports of a third row seat slipping in any customer vehicles, we have decided to conduct a voluntary recall as a precautionary measure and will be replacing all affected third row seat backs.

Our records show that you own a Model X affected by this voluntary recall. We will shortly send you an official recall notice by mail, but we wanted to alert you to this action as soon as possible.

A fix to this issue is already in place. We have worked with our supplier to develop a new recliner design with improved quality that resolved the issue. We are now constructing new third row seat backs to match all affected vehicles. Your service center will contact you to schedule the installation of your replacement seat backs as soon as they are available. Based on current production rates, we expect all replacements to be completed on a rolling basis over the next five weeks. We will accelerate this timing if possible.

Until the recall is performed, you may make full use of your Model X, although we ask that you temporarily not have anyone sit in the third row seats while the car is in use. We recognize that not having the use of your third row seats for the next few weeks will be an inconvenience, but your safety is our primary concern. We assure you that we are building your new seat backs as fast as we can.

Thank you for being a Tesla customer. If you have any questions, please contact us by phone at 844-248-3752 or by email at [email protected]. We apologize for this inconvenience.​
 
Mine slightly different and clearly explains the delay in shipments (despite minimal statistical evidence, I'm glad they are being proactive here) :
"Recently, during an internal seat strength test that was conducted prior to the start of Model X deliveries in Europe, the recliner in a third row Model X seat unexpectedly slipped. While we have not had a single issue with any cars that have been delivered, we decided to voluntarily replace the third row seats in every Model X that was built before we introduced an improved recliner design into our production process on March 26, 2016.

We want you to know that the Model X you configured is not affected by this issue. It is being built with updated third row seats that have the improved recliner design."
 



We are emailing to inform you of a proactive action Tesla is taking to ensure your safety as a Model X owner. Tesla's internally conducted crash testing demonstrates that Model X will be the first SUV to receive the highest safety rating in every category, and we are committed to ensuring that it remains the safest SUV in the world.

Recently, during an internal seat strength test that was conducted prior to the start of Model X deliveries in Europe, the recliner in a third row Model X seat unexpectedly slipped. The recliner, which is provided to us by an outside supplier, is the locking hinge that allows the third row seat back to fold forward, and if a recliner were to slip during a crash, the seat back could move forward. Similar testing was conducted before the start of deliveries in North America, with 15 confirmation tests having been conducted without a single recliner failure. Despite these prior successful tests and no reports of a third row seat slipping in any customer vehicles, we have decided to conduct a voluntary recall as a precautionary measure and will be replacing all affected third row seat backs.

Our records show that you own a Model X affected by this voluntary recall. We will shortly send you an official recall notice by mail, but we wanted to alert you to this action as soon as possible.

A fix to this issue is already in place. We have worked with our supplier to develop a new recliner design with improved quality that resolved the issue. We are now constructing new third row seat backs to match all affected vehicles. Your service center will contact you to schedule the installation of your replacement seat backs as soon as they are available. Based on current production rates, we expect all replacements to be completed on a rolling basis over the next five weeks. We will accelerate this timing if possible.

Until the recall is performed, you may make full use of your Model X, although we ask that you temporarily not have anyone sit in the third row seats while the car is in use. We recognize that not having the use of your third row seats for the next few weeks will be an inconvenience, but your safety is our primary concern. We assure you that we are building your new seat backs as fast as we can.

Thank you for being a Tesla customer. If you have any questions, please contact us by phone at 844-248-3752 or by email at [email protected]. We apologize for this inconvenience.


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I don't think I would consider this an early adopter issue; at least, not in the traditional sense. The problem is not with any new technology. The problem is with a fairly standard seat back latch, something that exists in every car with folding rear seats. Unless there is something special about the one used in the X? Assuming not, this could have happened to a Toyota Camry.

Actually, Telsa is pretty proactive in their safety testing. It's entirely possible there are other cars from other brands out there that have a similar problem that has just gone unnoticed.
 
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Unless there is something special about the one used in the X?
It's certainly unique. There is a pushbutton built into the leather above the shoulder on each seat. You press this once and an electrical latch makes the headrest fold down. You press again and you hear another electrical latch at which point you have to push the seat down. It's unclear whether the electrical part is failing, or the physical latch itself. The fact that they appear to be replacing the entire seat backs is interesting.

Either way, I'm glad they're on top of it. I hope the wait won't be terribly long.
 
There is no wait man. My X has been in SC already, might as well continue to be in there then. Lol. The problem with tesla is overusing electrical parts. They have electrical latches on doors, latch, everywhere. More moving parts more failure. But they are the only company doing it so I am still glad they did the way they did.
 
This is actually good news in a way - my rear seats have been locked in the upright position since taking delivery of the car, and now there's a better design with a plan to get everyone updated relatively quickly. I suspect that most of the rear seats would have seen problems at some point down the road, so it's good to see this one getting wrapped up quickly.