Banal but bizarre sounds of flatulence and the sharp horns of ‘La Cucaracha’ led to Tesla’s latest recall. NHTSA has safety concerns that automaker’s new Boombox feature’s external speaker may obscure audible pedestrian safety alert.
Key Points
- External speaker featured on 2020 through 2022 Model S, Model X, Model Y, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles may override a vital safety feature.
- Potential number of Tesla vehicles affected is 578,607.
- Boombox function allows various novelty sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion. The noise may obscure the pedestrian alert announcing the approaching vehicle.
- National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA) announced that affected Tesla vehicles fail to meet minimum federal sound requirements for EVs.
- Tesla confirmed there have been no crashes or injuries related to the vehicle alert issue.
- To remedy the problem, Tesla will perform a free over-the-air software update.
Over 578,600 Tesla Vehicles Affected by New Recall Over Exterior ‘Boombox’ Speaker that May Mask Audible Pedestrian Warning of Approaching Vehicle
Tesla is recalling some 2020-2022 Model S, Model X, Model Y, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles over a safety issue.
The problem stems from Tesla’s recently introduced “Boombox” feature.
The potential number of Tesla vehicles affected is 578,607.
Introduced in December 2020, Tesla’s Boombox function allows various novelty sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion.
In a new recall launched on February 4, the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA) announced that the Boombox function in Tesla Models S, X, Y, and 3 may obscure the audible warning alert the car sends out to warn pedestrians the vehicle is approaching. This can, of course, increase the risk of an accident.
The Boombox feature received some recent media attention for the unusual selection of pre-recorded sounds that can be utilized through the Boombox’s exterior speaker.
They include the bizarre but banal sounds of everything from a fart to a goat bleating. Check them out in the video below.
Boombox’s External Speaker is not Only Somewhat Obnoxious and a Safety Risk, it also Means these Teslas Fail to Meet Federal Sound Requirements for EVs
So, should you, for whatever reason, find yourself cruising down the street in your Model X and want to hear the horn section of “La Cucaracha,” you may accidentally be putting pedestrians at risk.
Also, if the pedestrian warning system sounds are obscured, the Tesla vehicles fail to meet the federal minimum sound requirements for hybrid and electric vehicles.
To remedy the problem, Tesla is offering to perform an over-the-air software update. The update will disable the boombox functionality when the vehicle is in drive, neutral, and reverse, free of charge.
Tesla confirmed there have been no crashes or injuries related to the vehicle alert issue.
Owner notification letters go out starting April 5. Tesla’s number for the recall is SB-22-00-003.
Photos: Tesla
