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Tesla starts to issue reimbursement checks for eMMC recall repair

(Photo: Andres GE)

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Tesla owners affected by the failure of the Multi-Memory-Card (eMMC) are receiving refund checks as a part of the terms the automaker outlined to replace the part.

In January 2021, the NHTSA requested that Tesla repair 158,000 Model S vehicles built between 2012 and 2018 and Model X vehicles from 2016 to 2018. The reasoning for the request was that the eMMC card could fail from routine wear-and-tear. The failure could cause loss of the rearview camera display, defrost/defog control settings, and exterior turn signal lighting, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.”

Tesla obliged to the request, recalling 134,951 Model S and Model X vehicles on February 2nd. “Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Tesla Model S and 2016-2018 Model X vehicles with a center display equipped with an NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor. When the 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device for the center display reaches lifetime wear, the eMMC controller will no longer be able to maintain the integrity of the filesystem, causing a failure in some of the center display functions,” the NHTSA wrote on its website.

In early March, Tesla started contacting owners whose vehicles fit the description of the recall so that a local Service Center could repair the vehicles. The email obtained by Teslarati noted that if owners had already had the replacement completed, they could be reimbursed.

Tesla wrote in the email:

“If you previously paid out-of-pocket for the specific pat and condition covered by the recall, and the repair was within the 8GB eMMC Recall period, you may be eligible for reimbursement.”

Owners then had to submit a reimbursement form, and Tesla would review it to determine whether the owners were eligible for repair. If the repair was performed after Tesla had set up a service appointment, it was completed at no cost.

Now, owners are receiving their reimbursement checks.

Reddit u/91Jammers in the r/TeslaMotors subreddit received their check just a few days ago in the amount of $1,670.50. However, several owners within the comment section indicate that the process wasn’t that easy for them. Several owners indicate that Tesla told them they didn’t qualify for an upgrade for several reasons. Some said MCU2 upgraders, regardless of “reason for upgrade,” didn’t receive a reimbursement check. Others said MCU1 failures that showed “all of the indicators of the eMMC issue” were also denied a refund without any clarification.

The recall repairs began on March 30, 2021, according to the NHTSA document that announced the recall. The same issue with the same vehicles was also reported in China in February, and Tesla worked to announce a recall on those vehicles as well.

If you did or did not receive a reimbursement check after having your eMMC repaired, let me know at joey@teslarati.com or @KlenderJoey on Twitter.

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Joey has been a journalist covering electric mobility at TESLARATI since August 2019. In his spare time, Joey is playing golf, watching MMA, or cheering on any of his favorite sports teams, including the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles, Miami Heat, Washington Capitals, and Penn State Nittany Lions. You can get in touch with joey at joey@teslarati.com. He is also on X @KlenderJoey. If you're looking for great Tesla accessories, check out shop.teslarati.com

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Tesla rolls out new Supercharging safety feature in the U.S.

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tesla's nacs charging connector
Credit: Tesla

Tesla has rolled out a new Supercharging safety feature in the United States, one that will answer concerns that some owners may have if they need to leave in a pinch.

It is also a suitable alternative for non-Tesla chargers, like third-party options that feature J1772 or CCS to NACS adapters.

The feature has been available in Europe for some time, but it is now rolling out to Model 3 and Model Y owners in the U.S.

With Software Update 2026.2.3, Tesla is launching the Unlatching Charge Cable function, which will now utilize the left rear door handle to release the charging cable from the port. The release notes state:

“Charging can now be stopped and the charge cable released by pulling and holding the rear left door handle for three seconds, provided the vehicle is unlocked, and a recognized key is nearby. This is especially useful when the charge cable doesn’t have an unlatch button. You can still release the cable using the vehicle touchscreen or the Tesla app.”

The feature was first spotted by Not a Tesla App.

This is an especially nice feature for those who commonly charge at third-party locations that utilize plugs that are not NACS, which is the Tesla standard.

For example, after plugging into a J1772 charger, you will still be required to unlock the port through the touchscreen, which is a minor inconvenience, but an inconvenience nonetheless.

Additionally, it could be viewed as a safety feature, especially if you’re in need of unlocking the charger from your car in a pinch. Simply holding open the handle on the rear driver’s door will now unhatch the port from the car, allowing you to pull it out and place it back in its housing.

This feature is currently only available on the Model 3 and Model Y, so Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck owners will have to wait for a different solution to this particular feature.

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LG Energy Solution pursuing battery deal for Tesla Optimus, other humanoid robots: report

Optimus is expected to be one of Tesla’s most ambitious projects, with Elon Musk estimating that the humanoid robot could be the company’s most important product.

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Credit: Tesla Optimus/X

A recent report has suggested that LG Energy Solution is in discussions to supply batteries for Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot.

Optimus is expected to be one of Tesla’s most ambitious projects, with Elon Musk estimating that the humanoid robot could be the company’s most important product.

Humanoid robot battery deals

LG Energy Solution shares jumped more than 11% on the 28th after a report from the Korea Economic Daily claimed that the company is pursuing battery supply and joint development agreements with several humanoid robot makers. These reportedly include Tesla, which is developing Optimus, as well as multiple Chinese robotics companies.

China is already home to several leading battery manufacturers, such as CATL and BYD, making the robot makers’ reported interest in LG Energy Solution quite interesting. Market participants interpreted the reported outreach as a signal that performance requirements for humanoid robots may favor battery chemistries developed by companies like LG.

LF Energy Solution vs rivals

According to the report, energy density is believed to be the primary reason humanoid robot developers are evaluating LG Energy Solution’s batteries. Unlike electric vehicles, humanoid robots have significantly less space available for battery packs while requiring substantial power to operate dozens of joint motors and onboard artificial intelligence processors.

LG Energy Solution’s ternary lithium batteries offer higher energy density compared with rivals’ lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which are widely used by Chinese EV manufacturers. That advantage could prove critical for humanoid robots, where runtime, weight, and compact packaging are key design constraints.

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Tesla receives approval for FSD Supervised tests in Sweden

Tesla confirmed that it has been granted permission to test FSD Supervised vehicles across Sweden in a press release.

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Credit: Grok Imagine

Tesla has received regulatory approval to begin tests of its Full Self-Driving Supervised system on public roads in Sweden, a notable step in the company’s efforts to secure FSD approval for the wider European market. 

FSD Supervised testing in Sweden

Tesla confirmed that it has been granted permission to test FSD Supervised vehicles across Sweden following cooperation with national authorities and local municipalities. The approval covers the Swedish Transport Administration’s entire road network, as well as urban and highways in the Municipality of Nacka.

Tesla shared some insights into its recent FSD approvals in a press release. “The approval shows that cooperation between authorities, municipalities and businesses enables technological leaps and Nacka Municipality is the first to become part of the transport system of the future. The fact that the driving of the future is also being tested on Swedish roads is an important step in the development towards autonomy in real everyday traffic,” the company noted. 

With approval secured for FSD tests, Tesla can now evaluate the system’s performance in diverse environments, including dense urban areas and high-speed roadways across Sweden, as noted in a report from Allt Om Elbil. Tesla highlighted that the continued development of advanced driver assistance systems is expected to pave the way for improved traffic safety, increased accessibility, and lower emissions, particularly in populated city centers.

Tesla FSD Supervised Europe rollout

FSD Supervised is already available to drivers in several global markets, including Australia, Canada, China, Mexico, New Zealand, and the United States. The system is capable of handling city and highway driving tasks such as steering, acceleration, braking, and lane changes, though it still requires drivers to supervise the vehicle’s operations.

Tesla has stated that FSD Supervised has accumulated extensive driving data from its existing markets. In Europe, however, deployment remains subject to regulatory approval, with Tesla currently awaiting clearance from relevant authorities.

The company reiterated that it expects to start rolling out FSD Supervised to European customers in early 2026, pending approvals. It would then be unsurprising if the company secures approvals for FSD tests in other European territories in the coming months. 

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