Last year, Tesla, the top-selling imported electric vehicle brand in South Korea, saw a 1,400% increase in vehicle recalls compared to the previous year. The automaker has already recalled over 23,700 cars in 2023 due to problems with tire pressure monitoring systems and rear cameras.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport’s Automobile Recall Center, Tesla Korea recalled 210,136 units last year, a 1,401.8% increase from the previous year’s 13,992 vehicles. This marks the largest increase among all automotive brands in the country. The Model Y led the recall list with 111,273 units, followed by the Model 3 (84,318), Model X (8,571), and Model S (5,838).
Tesla Korea initiated eight separate recalls last year. The company recalled all four models, S, X, 3, and Y, due to issues with the Autosteer feature. The system failed to provide adequate warnings to drivers and did not sufficiently restrict the function when drivers were not actively engaged, potentially increasing collision risks.
Autosteer, a key component of Tesla’s driver assistance suite, helps vehicles maintain their lane. The Ministry expressed concerns that drivers might misuse this feature, neglecting their driving responsibilities or failing to recognize whether the system was active.
Door-locking mechanisms were also subject to recalls. Some Model S and X vehicles were found to have a potential issue where doors could unlock during a collision, increasing the risk of passenger injuries. Other recalls addressed problems with dashboard indicator lights, rear camera displays, pedestrian warning sounds, and driver seatbelt alert systems.
Tesla Korea has already issued two recalls in 2023, affecting 23,741 vehicles. This places the company fifth in recall numbers, behind Kia (212,274), Hyundai (160,955), KG Mobility (107,932), and BMW Korea (24,609).
The Model Y and 3 experienced software errors that could have caused the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) to malfunction. The Ministry warned that this system could fail to alert drivers to low tire pressure, increasing the risk of accidents.
Some Model Y, 3, X, and S vehicles experienced excessive current during the power supply, potentially damaging the onboard computer. This could lead to malfunctions in the rear camera display, compromising the driver’s visibility.
Tesla plans to address these issues through over-the-air (OTA) software updates. For vehicles that have already experienced computer damage, the company will replace the affected units free of charge at its service centers.
