Controversies

Tesla worker alleges company turned accommodation into exit door

Issue disclosure

A Tesla worker has publicly alleged that the company turned a workplace accommodation into an 'exit door' out of their job, according to the article headline; the supplied source contains no further details on the date, the individual, or any Tesla response.

NHTSA opens audit query into Tesla Cybercab federal safety compliance

Investigation

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) initiated an audit query after Tesla's Cybercab launch in Austin, Texas, to make sure the vehicles comply with federal safety standards. NHTSA originally ordered Tesla to respond by Sept. 30 to a long list of safety questions, but the company obtained an extension. No significant safety incidents or collisions involving a Cybercab have been reported in Austin since the commercial debut.

Dutch regulator RDW says no Tesla recall in Europe, monitoring door issue

Investigation

The Dutch vehicle regulator RDW stated that there is currently no recall of Tesla cars in Europe over concerns that doors may be difficult to open in an emergency. The RDW, which serves as the key regulator overseeing the safety of Tesla cars in Europe, said it is monitoring the issue. It declined to comment on whether it is considering or investigating a recall, stating only that no recall exists at present.

The Dutch vehicle regulator RDW said there is currently no recall of Tesla cars in Europe over concerns that doors may be difficult to open in an emergency. The RDW, the key regulator overseeing the safety of Tesla cars in Europe, said it is monitoring the issue but declined to comment on whether it is considering or investigating a recall, only that there is none at present.

Nine carmakers recall 4.3 million vehicles in China over door-release concerns

Recall announced

Nine carmakers, including Tesla, Xiaomi and Leapmotor, said they would fix a combined 4.3 million vehicles in China due to concerns that emergency buttons or levers allowing occupants to manually open a door can be hard to find. The fix involves clearer labels on door-release mechanisms and over-the-air software updates that lower windows in an emergency.

Nine carmakers including Tesla, Xiaomi and Leapmotor said they would fix a combined 4.3 million vehicles in China due to concerns that emergency buttons or levers allowing occupants to manually open a door can be hard to find. The fix involves clearer labels on door-release mechanisms and over-the-air software updates that lower windows in an emergency.

Tesla and eight Chinese EV makers announce 4.3 million vehicle recall in China

Recall announced

Tesla and eight Chinese electric vehicle makers announced fixes affecting a combined 4.3 million vehicles in China, described as the country's largest-ever automotive recall. The action was prompted by safety concerns involving emergency door-release mechanisms. The recall covered 2.98 million Teslas.

Tesla recalls nearly 3 million vehicles in China over door-handle issue

Recall announced

Tesla issued the largest-ever product recall in mainland China's EV market, calling back 2.98 million vehicles, including Shanghai-made Model 3s and Model Ys and imported cars, over a door-handle issue, according to China's State Administration for Market Regulation. From September 25, Tesla will add warning labels to internal door handles and conduct an over-the-air update to window-control software that lowers windows after a collision.

Tesla recalls over 2.74 million China-made Model 3 and Model Y vehicles over driver attention monitoring

Recall announced

Tesla (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. filed a recall plan with China's State Administration for Market Regulation (recall number S2026M0039I), recalling 2,740,642 China-made Model 3 and Model Y electric vehicles produced between March 4, 2019 and December 7, 2025. In the affected vehicles, when the combined driver assistance system is active, the existing attention monitoring mechanism is insufficient to alert the driver to eyes-off-road conditions, which may increase collision risk if the driver does not intervene promptly. Tesla will provide a free over-the-air software upgrade that adds in-cabin camera monitoring on top of existing steering-wheel torque monitoring; vehicles unable to receive the OTA upgrade will be handled through Tesla service centers.

Stated objective. to reduce the possible increased collision risk and eliminate the safety hazard

Tesla recalls nearly 4.7 million Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in China over mechanical door handle and driver-assistance safety hazards

Recall announced

Tesla (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. and Tesla Motors (Beijing) Co., Ltd. filed recall plans with China's State Administration for Market Regulation. Recall S2026M0098V covers 973,156 domestically produced Model 3 vehicles built from March 4, 2019 to April 29, 2026 and 1,956,713 domestically produced Model Y vehicles built from November 16, 2020 to April 30, 2026; recall S2026M0099V covers 35,590 imported Model 3, 8,328 imported Model X and 2,123 imported Model S vehicles, effective September 25, 2026. The emergency mechanical door release handles are similar in color to the interior and hard to identify and operate, which in extreme cases such as a severe collision disabling the low-voltage system could hinder occupants from quickly opening doors to escape and rescuers from assisting. Tesla will affix warning labels free of charge and upgrade window control software via OTA to add a post-accident window-lowering strategy. Recall S2026M0039I, effective immediately, covers 2,740,642 domestically produced Model 3 and Model Y vehicles built from March 4, 2019 to December 7, 2025, because the existing attention-monitoring mechanism does not sufficiently alert drivers when their gaze leaves the road while combined driver assistance is engaged, potentially increasing collision risk; Tesla will upgrade software free of charge via OTA, adding in-cabin camera monitoring on top of steering-wheel torque monitoring, with service centers handling vehicles that cannot be upgraded OTA.

Stated objective. to eliminate safety hazards

NHTSA announces multiple vehicle safety recalls

Recall announced

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced a series of safety recalls affecting passenger cars, electric vehicles, commercial buses, and heavy trucks. The recalls include Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, Rivian R1S and R1T, Toyota Camry Hybrid and BZ Woodland, Blue Bird school buses, Thomas Built Buses, Volvo and Mack trucks, and other vehicles. Repairs are to be performed free of charge at dealerships.

Tesla vehicle crashes into parked highway patrol car

Safety incident

A Tesla driver who said he was asleep and using the driver-assist mode crashed into a parked California Highway Patrol vehicle at the scene of an earlier accident. The California Highway Patrol said two officers were seriously injured and taken to a hospital.

South Korean court rejects Tesla owners’ refund claims

Ruling

A South Korean court rejected refund claims brought by 89 Tesla owners over delays in receiving access to Full Self-Driving features. The ruling, issued on October 29, held that Tesla had provided some features and that the delays did not amount to a breach of contract. The decision addressed the owners' refund demands concerning the timing of access to the Full Self-Driving functionality.

On October 29, a South Korean court rejected claims by 89 Tesla owners seeking refunds over delays in receiving access to Full Self-Driving features. The court said Tesla had provided some features and that the delays did not amount to a breach of contract.

Tesla responds to recall of nearly 3 million vehicles in China

Recall announced

Tesla customer service responded to a recall involving nearly 3 million vehicles in China, stating that owners do not all need to visit service centers. Vehicles receiving three notices (adding emergency door handle labels, an OTA software update adding a post-accident window-lowering strategy, and an OTA update improving driver attention detection) can complete the software portions via OTA; vehicles needing the emergency door handle label can collect free stickers at service centers during maintenance or repair. The stickers are expected to reach service centers by the end of September, and the labeling period runs for 3 years, during which owners may collect them; vehicles already equipped with warning labels need no further labeling. Vehicles receiving only the two software update notices need only wait for the OTA.

Political backlash and attacks on Tesla facilities

Musk’s political activity was associated in reporting with protests, boycotts, vandalism and attacks targeting Tesla stores, vehicles and charging locations. The controversy also coincided with reputational and sales concerns in several markets.

Executive compensation and governance dispute

A Delaware court rejected Musk’s previously approved compensation package after a shareholder challenge concerning board process, disclosure and the package’s size.

Autopilot safety and marketing controversy

Regulators and critics questioned the naming, marketing and operational safeguards of Tesla’s driver-assistance systems. A software-related recall required additional driver-monitoring controls.

SEC investigates Elon Musk and Kimbal Musk over alleged Tesla insider trading

Investigation

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating Tesla CEO Elon Musk and his brother Kimbal Musk over alleged insider trading related to Tesla stock sales. The investigation examines whether Kimbal Musk had prior knowledge of Elon Musk's Twitter poll about selling shares before selling $108 million worth of Tesla stock on November 5.

Tesla calls California lawsuit unfair and counterproductive

Company response

In February 2022, Tesla responded publicly to a discrimination lawsuit filed by the state of California. In a blog post, the company called the lawsuit unfair and counterproductive. Tesla stated that it opposes discrimination and harassment and that it investigates complaints. The response addressed the state's legal action but did not concede the allegations. The blog post presented Tesla's position that the lawsuit was unwarranted and detrimental, while affirming the company's stated policies against discrimination and harassment and its practice of investigating complaints.

Tesla responded to California's discrimination lawsuit in a public blog post, calling it unfair and counterproductive and stating that it opposes discrimination and harassment and investigates complaints.

Tesla disputes California agency’s discrimination allegations

Company response

In a blog post published before the complaint was filed, Tesla called the lawsuit "misguided," disputed the agency's discrimination allegations, and said it disciplines and fires employees who exhibit racist behavior. The post was issued ahead of the filing of the complaint by the California agency. Tesla's statement characterized the lawsuit as misguided and contested the discrimination allegations made by the agency. The company also stated that it disciplines and fires employees who exhibit racist behavior.

California regulator files racial discrimination lawsuit against Tesla

Lawsuit filed

The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing said it filed a lawsuit against Tesla in Alameda County Superior Court, accusing the company of racial discrimination and harassment at its Fremont factory. Tesla called the lawsuit "unfair and counterproductive" and said it opposes discrimination and harassment in its workplace.

Tesla recalls 26,681 vehicles over windshield-defrosting software error

Recall announced

Tesla recalled 26,681 vehicles because a software error may decrease windshield defrosting performance. According to the event information, Tesla said it would address the issue with an over-the-air software update. The recall concerns a software-related reduction in defrosting capability rather than a hardware defect. No further details on affected models, locations, or outcomes were provided in the source material.

Tesla is recalling 26,681 vehicles because a software error may decrease windshield defrosting performance. Tesla said it will address the issue with an over-the-air software update.