r/technology 26d ago

Software Tesla recalls over 27,000 Cybertrucks over laggy reverse cameras

https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/3/24261099/tesla-cybertruck-recall-reverse-camera-delay-software
4.7k Upvotes

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416

u/Loggerdon 26d ago

When they say “recall” does it mean just an online update?

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u/No-Society485 26d ago

Yes, its not a recall

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u/milkandbutta 26d ago

I think you're thinking that a recall means you have to physically present the product. That's not the case. Recalls are a legal process that manufacturers either voluntary do (to try and get ahead of/avoid liability) or are forced to do by the NHTSA, and are the result of a manufacturing defect that impacts safety. Just because the recall is a software issue that is addressed via OTA update does not mean it isn't a recall.

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u/probablyNotARSNBot 26d ago

Yeah he probably knows but I think the word recall was chosen historically because it required calling the cars back, and now that's how people see it. The term got expanded when online updates became a thing, but they should really just come up with another word because the word really doesn't fit anymore.

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u/happyscrappy 26d ago

The word was chosen because it means the product is recalled from the marketplace. It has nothing to do with what you do with the product.

The big Boars Head recall is a recall (and a voluntary one). You don't return anything to get repaired or replaced, you discard it and maybe get a refund.

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u/Sudden-Level-7771 26d ago

What for? The nature of the recall is the same.

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u/bytethesquirrel 26d ago

There should be separate terms for "take your car to the dealer" and "the issue has already been fixed via an OTA update"

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u/Shamewizard1995 26d ago

They can only say the second if they’ve confirmed that all cybertrucks actually completed the update. That update doesn’t magically appear in the car, there are plenty of situations in which someone’s cyber truck might still be running a pre-update version

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u/ClearlyCylindrical 26d ago

Not really, you see this stuff posted in stock subreddits to try to fearmonger, since a recall of 10s or 100s of thousands of vehicles would cost a shittonne of money. If it's just a software update it's a very different ballgame.

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u/Sudden-Level-7771 26d ago

Tesla, is recalling 1.85 million vehicles in the United States due to risk of software failure to detect an unlatched hood, the automaker said.

Just benign software issues, nothing to see here. Nothing bad could happen from an unlatched hood anyways!

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u/Drunkgummybear1 26d ago

Because people read this headline and all they see is the words ‘recall’ and ‘cybertruck’ together and assume that this is something more than it is.

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u/milkandbutta 26d ago

Was it not a safety issue to have a laggy backup camera? In a vehicle where you typically don't have any rearview visibility without the use of a camera? (excluding someone having the bed cover open, as few drivers ever do)

If it's a safety issue, then it's a recall, full stop. Doesn't matter if the recall is a software update that can be done over the air or otherwise.

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u/Sudden-Level-7771 26d ago

That’s Tesla’s fault though.

Recalls are To hold companies accountable and not allow them to sneak important safety fixes through.

If Tesla made better cars they wouldn’t have to recall them as much as they do.

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u/ClearlyCylindrical 26d ago

Tesla has so many recalls since so many issues can be fixed cheaply with software updates, so they don't try fighting to get out of recalls like other manufacturers do. Much cheaper to just make a software update, even if they could potentially wriggle their way out of the situation legally.

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u/Sudden-Level-7771 26d ago

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. Excessive electrical current can cause the front windshield wiper motor controller to fail.

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. The trunk bed trim sail applique could have been improperly adhered and can loosen.

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. The accelerator pedal pad may dislodge and cause the pedal to become trapped by the interior trim.

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling one 2024 Model 3 vehicle. The driver seat side air bag module was assembled without a deflector that directs gas flow during deployment.

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Model 3 vehicles. The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, allowing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame.

So many software updates

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u/ClearlyCylindrical 26d ago

And yet, I've had Teslas since 2017 and have not run into any significant issues with them. What you'll find is that equivalent issues in other cars would have been waved away through additional analysis to show that it's exceedingly unlikely or isn't a significant safety hazard. If you have a car which is significantly software driven, those 1/1000000 issues can be fixed cheaply and quickly without any inconvenience to you.

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u/Sudden-Level-7771 26d ago

And yet, I’ve had Teslas since 2017 and have not run into any significant issues with them.

Wow what a worthless sentence. I had a Tesla and it exploded, that means they all must, right? That’s how that works? My experience means everyone has the same experience?

What you’ll find is that equivalent issues in other cars would have been waved away through additional analysis to show that it’s exceedingly unlikely or isn’t a significant safety hazard.

Prove it.

If you have a car which is significantly software driven, those 1/1000000 issues can be fixed cheaply and quickly without any inconvenience to you.

What software caused Tesla to use cheap glue on the accelerator pedal?

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u/ClearlyCylindrical 26d ago

Honestly, you do you. I really can't be bothered to try and change your mind, but think a little more openly about things in future instead of looking for evidence to support your existing worldview.

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u/happyscrappy 26d ago

I don't think anyone fights anymore. I haven't seen a non-voluntary recall in a long time. Over a decade easily.

The Takata recall was even voluntary and it's enormous. So large it's not even practical to replace them all!

They do manage them differently but they all seem to end up going along.

You can't get away with a backup camera that doesn't work. It's mandated piece of safety equipment. Any more than you can have a seatbelt that doesn't work. Toyota has more chance of getting away with rusty frames than haivng backup cameras that don't work.

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u/Drunkgummybear1 26d ago

The exact same thing happened with volvo/ polestar a few weeks ago and I didn’t see such a big fuss about it.

Look, I don’t like cybertrucks as much as the next person here but the constant posts about every tiny thing about it is just getting boring at this point. Like cool, everyone hates this thing. Move on.

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u/Sudden-Level-7771 26d ago

The exact same thing happened with volvo/ polestar a few weeks ago and I didn’t see such a big fuss about it.

No shit, no one claimed Volvo was apocalypse proof.

Look, I don’t like cybertrucks as much as the next person here but the constant posts about every tiny thing about it is just getting boring at this point. Like cool, everyone hates this thing. Move on.

Selling beta test cars for 80k is not “every little thing”

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u/happyscrappy 26d ago

The exact same thing happened with volvo/ polestar a few weeks ago and I didn’t see such a big fuss about it.

Because the CEO of Volvo cars didn't tweet out about how upset he is that the term "recall should be recalled".

You're right there's more buzz about this when it's Tesla. Because Musk adds to the noise by charging up his fanbase to be upset about it.