Tesla has announced a recall affecting nearly 700,000 vehicles in the United States. The recall involves the tire pressure monitoring system in certain 2024 Cybertruck, 2017–2025 Model 3, and 2020–2025 Model Y vehicles.

According to a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the issue prevents tire pressure warning lights from alerting drivers. This could lead to driving with improperly inflated tires, increasing the risk of accidents.

This latest recall adds to a challenging year for Tesla, with 2.7 million cars impacted by recalls in 2024 alone. The most significant recall occurred in July, involving 1.8 million vehicles. That issue, linked tohood latch detection failures, raised concerns about obstructed driver visibility.

Tesla vehicles have faced additional issues, including malfunctioning seat belt warnings, rearview cameras, and accelerator pedals. Most of these problems have been resolved through over-the-air (OTA) software updates, a hallmark of Tesla's approach to addressing defects.

Despite these efforts, safety concerns continue to follow the company. Earlier this year, Tesla’s autopilot system came under scrutiny after reports of crashes related to a software update. Public attention intensified following the tragic death of Angela Chao, who died in a Model X crash in March.

A recent study by iSeeCars found Tesla’s Model S and Model Y had higher fatal accident rates compared to other vehicles. The report showed 5.6 fatal accidents per billion miles traveled—double the national average. Yet, Tesla vehicles remain Top Safety Picks by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Elon Musk has defended the brand, stating, "Teslas are the safest cars on the road, but most people don’t know that." However, the volume of recalls in 2024 has raised questions about Tesla's quality control and safety standards.

Tesla isn’t the only automaker grappling with recalls. Chrysler leads the industry with 67 recalls this year. However, Tesla's recalls have gained more attention, partly due to its reputation as a leader in electric vehicle innovation.

As 2024 draws to a close, the question remains: Will Tesla’s approach to safety and recalls be enough to maintain consumer trust in its cutting-edge technology?

FORBES