Tesla issues global recall for 53,000 cars over issue with parking brake
The American auto manufacturer has been forced to call back 53,000 vehicles after a fault was found with a small gear in the parking brake
AMERICAN automaker Tesla Inc. announced on Thursday it would be recalling 53,000 cars worldwide because their parking brakes may get stuck and prevent the vehicles from moving.
The recall affects Model S sedans and Model X SUVs vehicles built between February and October 2016.
The vehicles may contain a small gear that was manufactured improperly by a supplier.
Tesla said less than five percent of the vehicles it's recalling may be affected, and it would take less than 45 minutes to replace the brakes.
If the gear breaks, the parking brake could get stuck in place. Regular brakes aren't affected by the problem.
Tesla said there have been no accidents or injuries related to the problem, "however, in order to be overly cautious, we are going to be proactively replacing these parts to ensure that no issues arise," the company said.
The company will contact owners by mail and start repairs immediately.
It expects to have sufficient parts for all of the affected vehicles by October.
Tesla, led by entrepreneur Elon Musk, had said last year it would recall 2,700 Model X sport utility vehicles in the United States due to a faulty locking hinge in third-row seats.
The most recent recall comes as Tesla remains close with General Motors as the US automaker with the highest market capitalisation.
Some analysts have expressed scepticism about the meteoric rise in Tesla shares given that the company still sells only a fraction of cars compared with GM or Ford.
Tesla's total production for 2016 was 83,922 vehicles and included both Model S and Model X, while Ford sold over six million and GM neared 10 million cars for the same year.