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- Tesla recalled almost 13,000 Model Ys and Model 3s over battery pack contactors that may “suddenly open.”
- When the contactor opens, the vehicle loses its ability to accelerate, per a NHTSA report.
- Tesla must physically replace the part, unlike many of its past recalls, which can be remedied with software updates.
If you recently bought a Model Y or Model 3, you might be impacted by the latest Tesla recall.
Tesla is recalling almost 13,000 Model Ys and Model 3s manufactured between March and August 2025. Tesla dealers were notified around October 15.
An estimated 1% of the vehicles experienced sudden power loss, according to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The culprit was a battery pack contactor that “may suddenly open due to poor coil termination connection,” the highway safety regulator said.
“If the contactor opens when the vehicle is in drive, the driver loses the ability to apply torque to the vehicle using the accelerator pedal resulting in a loss of propulsion, which may increase the risk of a collision,” the report read.
Drivers who have lost the ability to apply torque receive a visual warning telling them to pull over.
As of October 7, Tesla has identified 36 warranty claims and 26 field reports related to the contactor issue, the regulator said. The company is unaware of any incidents that have led to collisions, injuries, or fatalities, according to the filing.
While prompted by NHTSA, the recall is voluntary on Tesla’s behalf. Tesla’s field reliability team first flagged an issue getting vehicles from park to drive in August; in October, it agreed to the recall. Almost 8,000 Model Ys and over 5,000 Model 3s are believed to be affected.
While many of Tesla’s past recalls have simply required an over-the-air software update, impacted customers this time around will have to bring their vehicles in to have the contactors replaced, but will not be charged.
Tesla’s Cybertruck has also been subject to several physical recalls. The “apocalypse-proof” vehicle was recalled at least eight times since its 2023 launch. That includes the March recall, which affected over 46,000 Cybertrucks and warned that the exterior trim panel could detach while the vehicle is in motion.
NHTSA and Tesla have had a rocky relationship. In August, the agency announced an investigation into whether Tesla had incorrectly reported crashes involving its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems. The highway safety agency has launched multiple investigations into the automaker in the past.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk was also known to get into “yelling matches” with NHTSA regulators, per a 2022 Washington Post report.
During Musk’s cost-cutting push with the Department of Government Efficiency, NHTSA laid off 4% of its workers.
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