Tesla to recall 135,000 EVs over touch screen failures

Tesla is recalling 135,000 Model S and X EVs over older touch screen failures after initially baulking at a US agency’s request to do so.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) ordered a recall of those models in January, after finding the touch screens on some of those models were going blank and limiting access to various features.

It said the malfunctions were a safety problem because the rear view camera and defrost and defog controls are built into the touchscreen, The Washington Post reports.

Tesla had said it could limit the problem’s occurrence and restore the features through over-the-air firmware updates and customer repairs.

But it has now agreed to the recall, The Washington Post quoting a letter on the NHTSA’s website as saying Tesla wants to bring “administrative closure to the investigation” and “ensure the best ownership experience for our customers”.

Tesla has said the issue involved an eight-gigabyte memory chip in Tesla Model S and X vehicles built between 2012 and 2018, which it will upgrade to a new 64-gigabyte chip through the recall.

The Washington Post says Tesla will notify its stores, service centres and owners of the recall and provide instructions on how to proceed.

The NHTSA expects the recall to start on March 30.

Meanwhile, Tesla has launched one of its biggest updates for the Model S and Model X and will be producing the Model S Plaid Plus.