While Tesla may or may not be partially assembling its Model 3 by hand, resulting in massive production delays, a problem has emerged involving its fully automated SUV, the Model X, and as the AP reports, Tesla is recalling 11,000 Model X SUVs worldwide because their rear seats might not lock into place.
According to the notice, Tesla is recalling vehicles with fold-flat second row seats made between Oct. 28, 2016, and Aug. 16, 2017. Tesla believes only about 3 percent of the recalled vehicles have the issue.
Tesla says some cables in the seat may have been improperly tightened, which prevents the left seat from locking in an upright position, and if it's not properly locked, it could move forward during a crash, which as the snapshot of the Model X crash test below shows, could be a problem.
The good news: the Palo Alto, California-based automaker says it has seen no reports of injuries from the issue, which was discovered during internal testing. Tesla began informing customers about the recall Thursday. Owners can take their Model X to a dealer for repairs or contact Tesla's mobile repair units.
The bad news: with every incremental recall, the reputation of Tesla's quality control will erode, which sooner or later may adversely impact the car's coolness factor; if that is gone, then Elon Musk will have a big problem. For now, however, the market does not appear too worried.