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NEWS: Tesla
Recalls 439 Roadsters
YAHOO NEWS -- October 15,
2010 –
Tesla Motors has launched a
voluntary safety recall of
439 Roadster models 2.0 and
2.5 because of a potential
fire risk.
The electric automaker said
the recall involves the 12v
low-voltage auxiliary cable
from a redundant backup
system that provides power
to various systems,
including the headlamps,
tail lights, turn signals
and hazard lights, and
airbags in the event the
primary 12V power fails or
drops below a minimum
threshold value. Located in
front of the passenger-side
front wheel, behind the
headlamp, the 12v
low-voltage auxiliary cable
is physically isolated from
the main battery pack in the
rear of the car.
Tesla decided to initiate a
recall after the low-voltage
auxiliary cable in a single
vehicle chafed against the
edge of a carbon fiber panel
in the vehicle, causing a
short, smoke and possible
fire behind the right front
headlamp of the vehicle.
This issue is limited to the
12V low-voltage auxiliary
cable and does not involve
the main battery pack or
main power system.
Once aware of this single
incident, Tesla said it
decided a voluntary recall
was an appropriate
precautionary measure.
Tesla has informed
regulatory agencies of the
problem and developed a
remedy. The remedy involves
checking the routing of the
12V low-voltage auxiliary
cable and installing a
protective sleeve over it.
Tesla's service team has
started notifying customers
via e-mail and has launched
a mailing campaign. Tesla
service personnel can
perform the repair at
customers' homes or offices.
The service takes
approximately one hour.
This recall does not affect
earlier Roadster 1.5
vehicles (VIN ending with
500 or before), since these
cars do not include the 12V
auxiliary cable in question.
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