For interfering with federal vehicle safety standards, the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) challenged Tesla’s unconventional features once once more.
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The agency found this week that the mandatory pedestrian warning system on all hybrid and electric vehicles is not compliant with Tesla models equipped with the Boombox feature.
The Boombox feature allows Tesla owners to stream sound outside the car through built-in external speakers that Tesla first launched in late 2019.
It is designed for tailgating or other drop-off scenarios when vehicles are parked.
The NHTSA found that the external speaker can play when vehicles are moving, which can obscure the pedestrian warning system.
Evidently, the sounds emanating from the Boombox, be it Dua Lipa or the radar detection sounds of a hovercraft, may not be enough of a warning.
“While Boombox can improve vehicle visibility to pedestrians, a vehicle using Boombox when in drive, neutral or reverse, even if Summon or Smart Summon is being used, can cause the PWS to become non-compliant… which might increase the risk of a collision,” the agency said in its safety report.
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The recall covers all 594,717 models produced since 2020.
Includes 2020 through 2022 Model S, Model X, and Model Y vehicles with Summon or Smart Summon features built before March 31, 2022.
Also includes select 2017 through 2022 Model 3 vehicles with an updated pedestrian warning system.
An over-the-air update will fix the issue and disable Boombox playback when vehicles are in Drive, Idle, or Reverse.
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This recall replaces a similar recall from February of this year, identified as 22V-063; the slightly larger current recall is 22V-235.
This is at least the fourth widespread recall of Tesla models this year, and the NHTSA is investigating the electric carmaker for complaints of sudden braking posing a greater danger.
Tesla is not aware of any injuries or crashes from Boombox on the move. Owners can expect notification letters in the mail beginning June 6, 2022.