this post was submitted on 02 Feb 2024
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Tesla recalls 2.2 million cars — nearly all of its vehicles sold in the U.S. — over warning light issue::Warning lights on the Tesla vehicles are hard to read, raising the risk of a crash, according to traffic safety regulators.

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[–] suodrazah 115 points 10 months ago (3 children)

We need a new term to separate physical and virtual recalls. It's not like 2.2M vehicles have to go to the dealer to have a faulty brake line replace.

Musk is a utter cunt though, don't get me wrong. But this is not about him.

[–] essteeyou 63 points 10 months ago (1 children)

The word "recall" in the context of a product clearly means the product had to go back to where it came from. Do Microsoft, Apple, and Google recall devices running their software every time there's an update? No, it's called an update.

There 100% needs to be better phrasing for this, and for all manufacturers. I don't give a shit about Elon Musk.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 10 months ago

Honestly, I think in any context recall means that. The definition is To ask or order to return. They are literally saying that by recalling everyone has to return their cars. It just doesn't make sense.

[–] linearchaos 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

We also need a new term to clarify we're still calling musk a cunt without having to do it in so many words.

[–] GladiusB 2 points 10 months ago
[–] qx128 -3 points 10 months ago

Elon Musk clearly intended for the warning lights on Teslas worldwide to not operate according to the RULES. He is clearly a scoundrel, and NTSHA should GET HIM. Why do billionaires even control our car’s turn signals?! Surely there is some kind of review process for … like … selling cars!

[–] qx128 80 points 10 months ago

I realize most of you, dear Lemmings, are distraught in fear over this news. Fear not! “Tesla is fixing the vehicles by releasing a free, over-the-air software update.”

It’s almost like this “news article” was deliberately trying to mislead you to gain ad revenue! Fortunately for you, I have dispelled the misinformation!

[–] [email protected] 27 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (2 children)

It's the font size.

That is the issue.

I'm not a fan of some of Elon's behavior, but I'll acknowledge the successes he and his companies have made.

But when have software updates, remote software updates at that, warranted the recall badge of shame. What do you want owners to do, take off the tinfoil hat for their cars?

Change the font size and push the patch. Sheesh. We don't need an article CBS and the front won't fall off.

[–] Blaster_M 4 points 10 months ago

Well, the front's not supposed to fall off in any case.

[–] technicalogical -4 points 10 months ago (2 children)

The recall is an official designation. And yeah, pretty cool with Tesla that a lot of the recalls are done through firmware updates.

If I’m a shareholder, this is news I would want to know about. Just because you don’t care doesn’t mean others feel the same.

[–] Pappabosley 12 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I don't think it's about not wanting to hear it, more so about the language used, that feels overboard. I feel it's a combination of a car industry regulator in need of updating their terminology and news outlets looking to make everything sound sensational - the end result leaving you feel like you've been mislead about what's actually going on.

[–] Oderus 6 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Exactly. Good example is my Ram 3500 diesel. Just got a recall and I have to drive it in, and have them update something that'll take 1-2 hours to fix that bullshit emission issue Ram got caught fucking up. That's far more of an issue but it's still rather minor.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 10 months ago (2 children)

Don't get me wrong, I care. It's just a recall traditionally meant the owner bring in a vehicle for a material repair.

A software update requiring an owner to bring a vehicle to a dealer to upgrade also applies.

But Teslas have automatic wireless updates. I don't think the word recall is appropriate as it doesn't require any user intervention as far as I'm aware. Call it a software update like everything else.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

Simply because OTA updates and large screens on cars are so new. It's a recall because that's the word NHTSA uses whenever there is something the manufacturer is forced to fix, it doesn't matter how they fix it.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 10 months ago

Can’t you just put a piece of electrical tape over it and forget it?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

This is the best summary I could come up with:


That makes the lights hard to read, increase the risk of a crash, according to a recall notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

A January 30 report posted by NHTSA noted that Tesla is not aware of any crashes, injuries or deaths linked to the incorrect warning light fonts.

Separately, the NHTSA on Thursday said it has opened a preliminary evaluation about reports of power steering problems with some Teslas.

The report noted that it has identified 2,388 complaints about drivers losing steering control in some 2023 Tesla Model 3 and Y vehicles.

The company January recalled nearly 200,000 vehicles in the U.S. because the backup camera can malfunction while the car is in reverse.

In December, Tesla also recalled more than 2 million vehicles across four different models to fix a flaw in its Autopilot system.


The original article contains 269 words, the summary contains 136 words. Saved 49%. I'm a bot and I'm open source!

[–] [email protected] -4 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (2 children)

Wow a recall over the font being too small? That's kind of weird. If you can't see small letters while driving maybe you shouldn't be driving.

But as others here have said this isn't really a recall... Soooo yeah

[–] Desistance 6 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)
[–] Takumidesh 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Yea, the government never, ever, ever has outdated definitions, and moves sluggishly in relation to changing technology.

[–] Desistance 1 points 10 months ago

It's not outdated. When the government makes you fix your product, it's a recall. No matter how trivial it is.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 10 months ago

For critical safety information/warnings, I’m on the side of the authorities here. Same reason that emergency stops on machinery should have clear, contrasting colours.
If it were about the font size for the clock or the AC, I’d be on your side, though.