Tesla Model X voluntary recall for possible second-row seat adjustments

Tesla is voluntarily recalling 11,000 Model X vehicles made between October 28, 2016, and August 16, 2017, due to an adjustment issue with the second-row seats.

The issue was found through internal tests, but Tesla is unaware of any accidents relating to it.

“Tesla determined that a small number of cables in the second-row fold-flat seats in some 2016 and 2017 Model X vehicles may need to be adjusted,” a spokesperson says in an email to customers.

“Although Tesla has not received reports of any issues or accidents relating to this condition, we will be conducting a voluntary recall to inspect the affected vehicles and confirm whether any adjustment is needed. Although we have never seen any incidence of it in the field, internal testing has indicated that if the cable is not properly adjusted, the seat back on the left side of the second-row seats could move forward during a crash.”

Tesla believes about 3% of the Model X vehicles configured with fold-flat second-row seats manufactured during that time may be affected.

The repairs will be performed by Tesla’s mobile service or at a service centre, and should take about 10 minutes, the spokesperson says.

Until a Model X is checked, Tesla advises avoiding having two adults sit in the second row left and centre seating positions at the same time.

“Model X has received the highest rating in every category and subcategory in independent crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and we are committed to ensuring that Model X remains the safest SUV in the world.”

Vehicles with monopost seats are unaffected.

Meanwhile, Stuff reports Tesla has fired hundreds of workers, including engineers, managers and factory workers, even as it moves to expand its manufacturing and product line.

The company plans to increase vehicle production fivefold and reach a broader market with its new Model 3 sedan.

It has a waiting list of more than 450,000 customers.

Tesla says the dismissals last week resulted from a company-wide annual review. Some workers received promotions and bonuses, and the company expects to hire for the “vast majority” of new vacancies, a spokesman says.

Tesla declines to say how many staff went, most thought to be in administration and sales.