Tesla has issued a new recall for the Model X after discovering flaws in a previous remedy for roof applique detachment. The issue first surfaced on September 21, 2020, when a report highlighted a 2016 Model X with a missing roof applique. Tesla’s investigation traced the problem to insufficient primer at the applique-to-urethane interface, pointing the finger at a supplier, though the company did not disclose the supplier’s identity in documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The issue reappeared on April 4, 2022, when a vehicle owner submitted a questionnaire describing the detachment of a roof applique after the vehicle had been serviced under a previous recall (20V-710). The remedy at that time involved a retention test, with any roof appliques failing the test being reprimed at the urethane-to-applique interface.
However, through further investigation by Tesla’s Field Quality division, multiple post-remedy detachment incidents were identified by August 7, 2024. Although the new primer was deemed effective, the retention test applied during the recall repair was found inadequate. Consequently, Tesla has launched another recall under campaign number 24V-615, requiring the retention test to be performed with a force of 120 newtons, double the original 60 newtons.
Tesla has already notified its service centers about the revised recall and testing procedure, and owner notification letters are set to be mailed on or around October 14, 2024. Model X owners can check if their vehicle is affected by entering their VIN on Tesla’s recall portal. In this specific recall, the VIN starts with the digit “5.”
Tesla identified 125 service reports, 40 warranty claims, and six field reports linked to the issue, but no accidents or injuries have been reported. This recall emphasizes Tesla’s ongoing challenge with its older models like the Model X, which, alongside the Model S and the Cybertruck, contributed to just 21,551 deliveries globally in the first half of 2024. In stark contrast, Ford sold 15,645 units of its F-150 Lightning in the U.S. alone during the same period.
The Model X currently retails for $79,990 before taxes, fees, and applicable savings, with the high-performance Plaid variant priced at $94,990. While the Plaid can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds, the base dual-motor model offers a longer driving range, estimated at 335 miles on a full charge.
