Tesla on Thursday said it recently discovered a potential manufacturing issue with the electric parking brakes installed on select Model S sedans and Model X crossovers that might prevent the brake from releasing.
Tesla said the electric parking brakes on vehicles manufactured between February and October 2016 may contain a small gear that was perhaps manufactured improperly by a third-party supplier. If this gear were to break, the parking brake would remain engaged and keep the vehicle from moving.
The electric automaker said it did not believe the part could ever lead to a safety concern for customers as they have not had a single report of accident or injury due to the issue. Nevertheless, Tesla said it will be proactively replacing the potentially faulty parts.
They'll be recalling 53,000 vehicles total although Tesla says that less than five percent may be affected by the issue.
Customers with a vehicle built during the February to October 2016 window will soon receive an official recall notice by mail that'll include instructions on how to have the parking brake replaced. The procedure should take less than 45 minutes, we're told.
Tesla issued a voluntary recall of the Model X a year ago due to a faulty third-row seat component. In 2015, the Model S was recalled over front seat belt concerns.
In the interim, Tesla says customers can continue to use their vehicles as usual.
Image courtesy Hannibal Hanschke, Reuters