Tesla recalls its trucks due to problems with the handbrake

Tesla recalled its electric Semi for the first time due to a problem with the Tesla Semi’s parking brake that could cause the vehicle to move unintentionally, increasing the risk of an accident.

The recall was filed on March 24 – just a few months after the trucks were first delivered to customers.

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) documents, “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 disengaged … if the parking brakes are not engaged when the driver expects them to be and the driver releases the service brakes, the vehicle may unintentionally move, increasing the risk of crash.”

The recall affects 35 Tesla Semi vehicles, 100% of which are estimated to have a parking brake defect.

Owner notification letters will be mailed on May 23, 2023. Dealer notification letters were due March 27, 2023.

Tesla representatives say that there have been no cases where a defect has led to damage or an accident to date.

Tesla says it will fix the problem free of charge by replacing the parking brake valve module with a redesigned part with improved internals that prevent air leakage and allow the driver to engage and disengage the parking brakes.