Tesla recall: Heat pump won't defrost windshield fast enough

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

DETROIT (AP) — Tesla is recalling nearly 27,000 vehicles in the U.S. because the cabin heating systems may not defrost the windshield quickly enough, cutting visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

The latest in a series of recent recalls covers certain 2021 and 2022 Models 3, S, and X, and some 2020 through 2022 Model Y vehicles.

Tesla says it doesn’t know of any crashes or injuries tied to the problem. Documents posted Wednesday say the electric vehicle maker will send out an online software update to fix the issue.

U.S. safety regulators say in the documents that a software error can cause a valve in the vehicles’ heat pumps to open unintentionally, trapping refrigerant inside the evaporator. That can reduce defrosting performance.



FILE - A Tesla Model Y Long Range is displayed on Feb. 24, 2021, at the Tesla Gallery in Troy, Mich. Tesla is recalling nearly 27,000 vehicles in the U.S. because the cabin heating systems may not defrost the windshield quickly enough. The latest in a series of recent recalls covers certain 2021 and 2022 Models 3, S, and X, and some 2020 through 2022 Model Y vehicles. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-software-7fc2b9fce1efdb6685c41a7d7b4ca7f3

[William Seger]

1. Heating is something I've always wondered about with electric cars

What kind of mileage do Teslas get if you're running the heater in 0-degree weather?

[Ray Bruns]

3. I am not sure. I always wondered the same thing

Electric heat is very costly as power goes. I am sure it is a huge drain on the battery. Probably not a problem in the south, but would be a major problem in the north.

[OnlinePoker]

11. The following is from a Tesla driver in Saskatchewan

In his experiment, actual range loss was 34% at -17c (1.4F).

https://www.teslaoracle.com/2020/11/23/calculating-tesla-model-3-range-loss-through-a-cold-winter-night-video/

[William Seger]

12. Thanks! That's actually not as bad as I expected

[cadoman]

17. 34% loss? At that rate does it even come close to making environmental or practical sense?

A 34% loss in efficiency of a gas car would take a 30mpg car down to 20mpg.

I can't imagine the use case for pure electric vehicles in the extreme cold. Deploy them to sunny and temperate areas where they can excel and let the gas vehicles cluster where their inefficiencies turn into benefits.

Let's not even get started on silliness like having to heat the electric door handles...

[twodogsbarking]

2. People who owned VWs from the 1960s are laughing.

You had to be there.

[dsc]

4. Yes they were notorious for that

I am a bit too young to have rememberence of them new, but there were plenty of older ones around when I was a kid.

[NurseJackie]

7. Yes, thank you! I was there too!

[Ellipsis]

8. Squirrel cage.

I was going to post "VW Beatle syndrome."

[William Seger]

13. "About like having a Saint Bernard panting on you"

I had a '70 Karmann Ghia which wasn't actually too bad after it warmed up, but that was like 10 minutes.

[LiberalFighter]

15. My first vehicle was a 1964 VW in 1971 while in high school.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

18. I remember driving with one hand reaching out the window ...

... to scrape the accumulating ice and snow off the windshield.

On the positive side, this did not seem to affect fuel mileage.

[robbob]

5. People who put the car in gear while the windshield is covered in ice

Pretty much are asking for an accident. It’s sucks, sitting in an ice cold car waiting for the windshield to clear, but you have to do it. Get to the car 10 minutes before you have to leave. Go back inside, finish your coffee. Use your scraper on the inside of the car. Whatever it takes, but do NOT hit the road with ice still forming on the windshield. It only gets worse as you breath condenses on the glass.

[Alexander Of Assyria]

6. Who cares? Will fix.. Meanwhile get out and clean it...manually. Open windows...The horror!

[Aussie105]

9. An interesting development!

Most owners of gas and diesel powered cars have the same problem, got to warm that engine up to get any heat out to the windscreen.

You adapt.

So how long does it take for a Tesla driver to be able to see out the front anyway?

[Happy Hoosier]

10. Is there a reason we get maintenance updates on Teslas all the time?

Is it because Elon Musk is a douche?

Elon Musk may be a dirt bag, but the success of electric vehicles is a key to our future.

[sir pball]

20. Because while TSLA has done great things in mainstreaming EVs, the cars themselves are low quality.

Musky Boy has done great things in getting the concept of EVs mainstreamed, but his actual implementation is a bit...lacking. If you're gonna drop 6 figures on an electric sedan and opt for a Model S over a friggin' Porsche, you need your head examined.

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[OxQQme]

14. Tesla's re-calls

A strange meme. Tesla has had many 're-calls'.
They are mostly an over-the-air software update, just like your phone or computer. Not requiring a return to the dealer.
And yes, this seems to be the norm for NHTSA to announce a 'scare' to the public where none exists.

btw, Tesla is the highest rated safety car. https://www.nhtsa.gov/ratings

[Zorro]

16. Wonder how many DUers own Teslas

I do.

[Emile]

19. My Chevrolet truck has been recalled for passenger side airbag.