Elon Musk Claims Tesla's Latest Firmware Update Will Resolve the Heat Pump Issues in the Model Y, Model 3

author: Manish Kharinta   

Transport Canada received multiple complaints from Tesla owners that claiming the heat pumps in their vehicles failed in sub-zero temperatures.

Electric automaker Tesla is tackling its fair share of challenges in the new year, despite recording deliveries last year and strong Q4 to finish out 2021.

Transport Canada, which regulates the county's transportation industry, was bombarded with 16 complaints from Tesla owners that claimed the heat pumps in many Tesla offerings are failing in sub-zero temperatures.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also received similar grievances for the Tesla Model Y and Model 3 sedan. 

It is worth noting that even though, for most Tesla owners living in warmer climates, a faulty cabin heater might be nothing more than an inconvenience. However, it can prove to be a matter of life or death for those living in areas with frigid temperatures like some Tesla owners in Canada.

A faulty heat pump in the Tesla Model Y for example, will not prevent the windshield from icing up in extremely cold conditions. It will also not defog the windshield when necessary. 

Transport Canada has confirmed its following up on the complaints, and NHTSA also wants to have a word with the EV manufacturer. Tesla recently broke its silence on the matter and announced that an earlier software update caused the issue with the heat pumps on the affected vehicles. Some owners also claimed that the problems started after Tesla rolled out its latest software update around the holidays. However, these claims remain unsubstantiated. 

Tesla said it will resolve the glitch causing the heat pump to malfunction with a software patch. Tesla CEO Elon Musk also shared his thoughts on the issue on his Twitter account. 

Elon Musk revealed that resolving the faulty heat pump problem is a high priority for him and his company. Musk also announced that Tesla is already releasing a firmware fix to recalibrate the heat pump expansion valve. 

But even after the recent software rollout, it is unclear whether the software patch has solved the problem. Many frustrated Tesla owners also took to Twitter to report that their heaters were still not working. However, most Tesla owners said that the new software update has solved the issue. 

Safe to say, the jury of public opinion on this particular matter is still out. If the software patch proves ineffective, Tesla might have to recall many vehicles and address the issue by tweaking the hardware. Initially, the issue was limited to Tesla owners with individual car problems.

There have also been reports where owners claim that Tesla service center employees cited a valve or heating duct flap as the true underlying cause for the problem. 

It's still not clear if Tesla will offer any compensation for the owners of vehicles that require a new heat pump, or for the damage that may have been caused by this glitch.

With unusually harsh winter weather this year in Canada and the rest of the Northern U.S., resolving the heat pump issues remains a high priority for Tesla.

Manish Kharinta

Manish Kharinta is a automotive writer based in the Los Angeles area. He has worked for automotive industry websites TheSmokingClutch.com, CarDekho.com and CarBikeindia.com. His experience ranges from covering auto shows, to car reviews and breaking automotive news. Manish aims to bring forth his unique perspective on automotive design and technological innovations in the automotive industry.