Tesla is ‘Virtually Recalling' Roughly 64,500 Model 3 Performance Sedans in the U.S. and China for a Missing Speedometer Display While in Track Mode

author: FutureCar Staff    

Electric automaker Tesla is recalling approximately 48,000 Model 3 Performance sedans vehicles in the U.S. and another over 14,600 more in China to address a problem where the vehicle's speedometer doesn't show when the vehicle is put into "Track Mode".

The recall covers vehicles from the 2018 through 2022 model year Model 3 Performance Models. Tesla inadvertently removed the speedometer display from the user interface after a firmware update in Dec 2021.

However, customers won't have to bring their car in for service, which is one of the many benefits of Tesla's pioneering software-based vehicle design. The automaker will perform an over-the-air software update to address the issue. 

Tesla's unique Track Mode setting improves the Model 3's handling and boosts its cooling system performance for driving closed circuit courses, such as laps around a race track. It modifies the stability control, traction control, regenerative braking, and battery cooling systems for handling for high-speed laps on closed circuit courses. It also features a real-time accelerometer (G-meter) and lap timer.

Track Mode is not for everyday driving. It's designed for use on closed circuit driving courses only, according to Tesla. The company says "it is the driver's responsibility to drive safely and ensure others are not endangered" while using Track Mode.

This latest recalls follows a seperate one in February for addressing a malfunctioning heat pump in 26,047 China-made Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, which can lead to inefficient heating of the cabin and poor performance of the windshield defoggers.

The heat pump in the Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y works like an air conditioner condenser, except in reverse. Instead of removing heat like an air conditioning system does, the heat pump transfers heat into the cabin. 

All of the vehicles received an over-the-air (OTA) software update to fix software that controls the operation of the heat pump.

Also in February, Tesla announced it was virtually recalling 800,000 Model S sedans, Model X SUVs, Model 3s and Model Y vehicles to address a malfunctioning seat belt chime. The problem was that the audible chime may not activate when the vehicle starts and the driver has not yet buckled their seat belt. 

Tesla was the first automaker to offer over-the-air software updates, so the seat belt chime problem is also being addressed without requiring owners to take their Teslas in for a service appointment. 

Tesla was the first automaker to offer over-the-air software updates. Now other carmakers are building software defined vehicles, including Mercedes-Benz. Like Tesla, future Mercedes-Benz vehicles will be fully electric and software-defined vehicles that are capable of receiving regular over-the-air- software updates, just like a smartphone. 

The ability to update Tesla vehicles OTA is one of the many benefits to driving one and it will soon be more commonplace in the auto industry as rival automakers build their own software-defined vehicles. 

FutureCar Staff