Posted on Tuesday, October 05 2010 @ 18:44 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck
Tesla Motors issued a recall of 439 of its Roadster 2.0 and 2.5 cars due to an improperly isolated cable that could pose a fire hazard. The recall impacts roughly a third of all Tesla cars currently out in the wild, but fortunately the service only takes about one hour.
Palo Alto, Calif. -- Tesla Motors has launched a voluntary safety recall on Roadster models 2.0 and 2.5. The recall involves the 12v low voltage auxiliary cable from a redundant back up system that provides power to various systems, including the headlamps, taillights, turn signals and hazard lights, and airbags in the unlikely event the primary 12V power fails or drops below a minimum threshold value.
Located forward of the passenger side front wheel, behind the headlamp, the 12v low voltage auxiliary cable is physically isolated from the main battery pack in the rear of the car.
Tesla decided to initiate a recall after the low voltage auxiliary cable in a single vehicle chafed against the edge of a carbon fiber panel in the vehicle causing a short, smoke and possible fire behind the right front headlamp of the vehicle. This issue is limited to the 12V low voltage auxiliary cable and does not involve the main battery pack or main power system.
Once aware of this single incident, Tesla quickly determined that a voluntary recall was an appropriate precautionary measure. The recall affects 439 Roadsters.
Tesla has made corresponding regulatory agencies aware of the discovery and has already initiated a correction in customer cars. The correction involves checking the routing of the 12V low voltage auxiliary cable and installing a protective sleeve over it. Tesla's Service team has started notifying customers via email and has initiated a mailing campaign. Tesla Service Rangers can perform the service at customers' homes or offices. The service takes approximately one hour.
This recall does not impact earlier Roadster 1.5 vehicles (VIN ending with 500 or before) as these cars do not include the 12V auxiliary cable in question.
