Tesla has issued a recall order for about 11,000 units of the Model X all-electric crossover released last year.
The recall order only pertains to Model X units that have second-row fold-flat seats that were built between Oct. 28, 2016, and Aug. 16 of this year. The company estimated that only less about three percent of the vehicles that were sold are affected by the issue and that the Tesla SUVs with single-post seats are not affected.
In a round of several internal tests, Tesla discovered that poorly-adjusted cables that were connected to the driver's side second-row seat heaved it forward during the crash tests. Tesla has not received reports of similar incidents involving the Model X but issued the recall based on this research.
This is not the first time that Tesla has made such a recall. The automotive maker also issued a recall order for 90,000 units of its Model S sedan in 2015. The order was made after reports of possible seatbelt defects.
The following year, another recall order was sent out, this time for 2,700 units of their Model S and X SUVs for a possible third-row seat problem. Earlier this year, 53,000 units of the Model S and X SUVs were recalled following reports of a potential parking brake issue.
In a product-oriented business like Tesla, it's the price to pay. While recall orders are generally a bad thing, it's a better option if it's done by the company themselves with a voluntary recall order than to be legally mandated by the courts if and when tragedy strikes.
Tesla, along with several automotive experts, has released a fix for the Model X. Car owners are to bring the Tesla Model X units to a service center and have it fixed. They could also call Tesla's mobile repair service number and a technician will adjust the cable correctly, which should only take 10 minutes.
Until the fix is done on the vehicle, Tesla strongly suggests to not stack two adults in the center and behind the driver seat in the second row.
