Tesla implemented its first voluntary recall for its all-electric class 8 truck Semi just four months after deliveries commenced.
Tesla’s recall filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration revealed that 35 Semi units have issues with their electronic parking brake valve module (PVM).
“Parking Brake Valve Module May Cause Rollaway
A parking brake that is not engaged as expected when the driver releases the brakes may allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.”
Tesla Semi recall report
Tesla Semi’s PVM defect
As explained by Tesla, a defective parking brake may cause a car crash as it can roll away when the driver releases the brakes.
That said, activating the parking brake may also prevent the PVM from shifting into the park position.
“Certain Tesla Semi trucks are equipped with a supplier-provided electronically controlled parking brake valve module that may intermittently fail to transition when the parking brake is engaged or disengage.”
Tesla Semi recall report
The 35 Semi trucks potentially having the PVM defect are apparently built from November 30, 2022, to February 28, 2023.
According to the safety recall report, records from the factory allowed for the identification of the affected vehicles.
Solution
The Tesla Semi’s faulty parking brakes are a major technical issue that can’t be fixed through an over-the-air software update, which the automaker usually employs with most of its recalls.
That said, Tesla aims to replace the defective PVM equipped in the affected Semis for free.
According to Tesla, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems produced and supplied the defective parking brake valve modules, which informed the automaker of the PVM issue on February 13, 2023.
Interestingly, the supplier’s specifications for the component may permit severe internal air leakage, which prevents pressure from building efficiently. Consequently, the valve module fails to transition when the driver requests the parking brakes.
See Also:
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- PepsiCo confirms plans to deploy 100 Tesla Semis in 2023
- Tesla Semi is finally delivered to its first customer at the company’s event
- Tesla Semi just finished its first 500-mile drive with a full load
The defective valve module will be replaced before delivery in Tesla Semi cars that have not yet been delivered to customers.
As we all know, PepsiCo is the only customer that has received Tesla Semi deliveries. Therefore, it’s likely that many of the affected units are in their fleet.
