Tesla is voluntarily recalling 53,000 of its Model S and Model X electric cars after a fault was found with one of the braking systems used in both vehicles.



The recall affects cars sold worldwide, built from February and October 2016. The fault can cause the parking brake to lock up and prevent the vehicles from moving. Tesla says while it wants to inspect them all, less than 5% of the recalled cars may be affected.

The Elon Musk-led electric car manufacturer apologised for the issue, which it blamed on a small gear provided by a third-party supplier. A Tesla spokesperson said in a statement: “There have been no reports of the parking brake system failing to hold a parked vehicle or failing to stop a vehicle in an emergency as a result of this condition, and this part has no impact on the car’s regular braking systems.

“We do not believe this issue could ever lead to a safety concern for our customers, and we have not seen a single accident or injury relating to it.”

Tesla owners affected by the issue will be notified by their cars that the parking brake needs service. The electric car manufacturer, which has sold more than 200,000 vehicles, said it would contact owners by mail. The repair should take less than 45 minutes per vehicle and enough replacement parts for all affected vehicles are expected to be available by October.

The electric vehicle manufacturer produced 83,922 vehicles in 2016, with sales expanding with the popularity of its sedan and SUV models.

Recalls within the car market are common, and Tesla is no stranger to the practice. In April 2016, Tesla recalled 2,700 Model X cars in the US due to a faulty locking hinge in the third-row seats, having begun deliveries of the luxury SUV in September 2015. The company was forced to recall its entire Model S fleet, numbering 90,000 vehicles, in November 2015 owing to a faulty seatbelt.

In March, Mercedes was forced to recall around 1m vehicles worldwide, including 75,000 in the UK, over a fire risk with some starter components in cars made between 2015 and 2017.