

News
Tesla fans call for recall terminology update, but the NHTSA isn’t convinced it’s needed
Tesla fans have been calling for an update in recall terminology ever since Over-the-Air updates became more popular in resolving vehicle issues. However, the NHTSA, the agency responsible for handling recalls and vehicle safety, is not convinced that it is needed.
The majority of Tesla’s vehicle recalls are performed through software remedies, which makes things complicated when it comes to headlines. Far too often, media outlets run with headlines like “Tesla recalls 2 million vehicles for safety issue,” when in reality, the issue is something small and fixable through a software update that downloads and is applied while the owner is asleep.
Fans are not the only ones calling for a terminology update. CEO Elon Musk is calling for one as well and has on several occasions.
‘Outdated & Inaccurate’
After a 2022 “recall” on over 1 million Teslas for a window issue, mainstream media pushed the narrative that 1 million EVs were in need of a major fix. In reality, the problem was remedied through a software download and update, and not a single car needed to go to a service center for repair.
“The terminology is outdated & inaccurate. This is a tiny over-the-air software update. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no injuries,” Musk said in response to the recall.
The terminology is outdated & inaccurate. This is a tiny over-the-air software update. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no injuries.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 22, 2022
More recently, a 2 million-vehicle recall was initiated by Tesla and the NHTSA to increase font size.
“On affected vehicles, the letter font size of the Brake, Park, and Antilock brake system (ABS) visual warning indicators is smaller than 3.2 mm (1/8 inch), as prescribed in FMVSS Nos. 105 and 135,” the NHTSA said in its 573 Safety Recall Report.
Tesla’s font size causes 2.2 million vehicle ‘recall’ that’s really just an OTA upate
The 2.2 million vehicles affected were given a software update, which was downloaded and applied to all vehicles. It increased the font size without anyone needing to physically take their cars to a showroom.
‘No difference to the safety risk posed by a defect’
From the NHTSA’s perspective, recall still fits the bill of anything from a steering wheel that falls off to the font size being a size too small.
Teslarati reached out to the agency last week, asking if there were any internal plans or discussions regarding the terminology of a recall. In reality, there are more companies than just Tesla that would benefit from an update in terminology.
Ford is another company that has used Over-the-Air updates to solve vehicle problems.
The NHTSA told us that any defect, big or small, fits the bill of a recall, and whether it can be resolved through software or through a physical repair makes no difference. It’s still a safety issue:
“Defects that pose an unreasonable risk to safety are serious and should be remedied as soon as possible. The Vehicle Safety Act requires manufacturers to issue recalls to remedy safety defects. Whether a remedy can be completed at a local dealership or through an over-the-air software update makes no difference to the safety risk posed by a defect.”
Recalls are an acknowledgment of a safety defect in a vehicle, and how they’re repaired does not play into the terminology used. Recalls are important because they alert a vehicle owner of an issue, and sometimes, the OTA update may not be successfully applied, or it could persist after the fix is sent through software.
Comparing Vehicle Recalls to Phone Updates
A common comparison used by people who oppose the use of the word “recall” to describe an OTA update is that of a smartphone update.
iPhones are common recipients of software updates, and you’ll see people online facetiously say, “My iPhone is getting recalled!”
The NHTSA does not see a comparison, considering vehicle safety defects can put lives at risk on the road. The driver is at risk if things are not fixed, and others can be put in harm’s way as well.
Unfortunately, those who disagree with the use of the word “recall” may have to deal with it. It does not seem that the NHTSA has any plans to update the terminology used because the medium of repair is not what a recall applies to. It is the issue itself.
I’d love to hear from you! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please email me at joey@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.
Elon Musk
Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirms Robotaxi is opening to the public: here’s when
Anyone will be able to request a Tesla Robotaxi in September, Elon Musk said this morning.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has confirmed that the company’s Robotaxi platform is opening to the public, and he even gave a timeline for when anyone will be able to access one for a ride.
Tesla’s Robotaxi platform launched to a small group on June 22 in Austin, Texas. The company has continued to expand the number of riders and its geofence over the past month and a half.
Additionally, it launched rides in the Bay Area of California, but it differs slightly, as the Texas Robotaxi platform does not utilize a Safety Monitor in the driver’s seat. In California, the monitor sits in the driver’s seat.
As the geofence, service areas, and testing populations expand, Tesla fans are awaiting their elusive emails that enable their ability to use the Robotaxi platform. It now seems that the email will come soon, as Musk said Tesla will open up public access to Robotaxi next month:
It will be open access next month
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 11, 2025
Tesla has been prioritizing safety over anything else with the launch of the Robotaxi platform, which is why it has been slow to push invitations to new riders. It is confident in the abilities of the platform and its Full Self-Driving suite, which has been proven with data.
However, even a single accident could set Tesla back years in terms of its development of self-driving cars. It is not a risk it is willing to take.
Musk said during the recent Q2 Earnings Call:
“We need to make sure it works when the vehicles are fully under our control. It’s kind of one step at a time here. We don’t want to jump the gun. As I said, we’re being paranoid about safety. But I guess next year is I’d say confidently next year. I’m not sure when next year, but confidently next year, people would be able to add or subtract their car to the Tesla, Inc. fleet.”
As the platform will expand in Austin and the Bay Area for anyone, Tesla still continues to reiterate that Robotaxi will be available for everyone sometime next year, as Musk said in the quote above.
Things will continue to improve over time, and Tesla will likely expand its geofence in both regions in the coming weeks. It has already done that in Austin twice, with about a doubling in size occurring both times.
Elon Musk
Tesla warns consumers of huge, time-sensitive change coming soon
Tesla is urging customers to take delivery of their new EV by September 30 in order to take advantage of the $7,500 tax credit.

Tesla is continuing to warn consumers of a huge, time-sensitive change that is coming soon, as the end of the EV tax credit is less than two months away.
The EV tax credit has offered $7,500 off new EVs and $4,000 off used EVs for certain individuals who qualify due to income. For years, it has been a great incentive for consumers, and it has improved further as car companies were able to apply the credit at the point of sale starting in 2023.
Tesla is ready with a perfect counter to the end of US EV tax credits
However, with the Trump Administration, it always seemed as if the EV tax credit was in jeopardy. Earlier this year, the White House officially announced that it would do away with it completely.
On September 30, the tax credit will be abolished. In order to utilize it, customers will have to take delivery of their vehicle by that date. Orders placed before September 30 without delivery by that day will not be able to utilize the credit.
Tesla is truly pushing this point incredibly hard: the sooner an order gets in, the more likely you are to take delivery of the car by September 30.
If there ever was a time to yolo your car purchase, it’s now
– $7,500 fed tax credit is ending
– To take advantage, eligible buyers must take delivery (not just order) by Sept 30The sooner you order, the sooner you can pick it up
— Tesla (@Tesla) August 9, 2025
The end of the EV tax credit is something that has been looming on the minds of electric carmakers, consumers, and investors.
The $7,500 discount for buying a clean energy vehicle truly puts many of the cars in a much more affordable price range. Without it, the least expensive Tesla model will be the Model 3 Rear-Wheel-Drive, which starts at $42,490.
That price comes down to $34,990 with the tax credit, and brings the monthly payment down about $130, depending on how much money is put down.
Despite the change, CEO Elon Musk does not believe it will impact Tesla negatively. In fact, he has been in favor of getting rid of the EV tax credit for several years, believing it will actually work to Tesla’s advantage.
Take away the subsidies. It will only help Tesla.
Also, remove subsidies from all industries!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 16, 2024
In my view, we should end all government subsidies, including those for EVs, oil and gas
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 14, 2024
Perhaps the most interesting thing that will come of this is how all EV makers will be impacted by the loss of credit. Musk believes Tesla will come out as the big winner here, especially as it plans to roll out new affordable models sometime this year.
News
Tesla FSD V14 gets tentative release date
The update will feature a 10X higher parameter count, among other improvements.

Tesla is not releasing Unsupervised FSD to regular customers yet, but the company seems to be preparing something special for its FSD users nonetheless.
This was, at least, according to Elon Musk in a recent post on X.
Tesla FSD V14
Tesla’s FSD program has been deemed by Elon Musk as one of the key factors that would determine the company’s long term success. Over the past months, however, Tesla has mostly been focusing on the rollout and ramp of its Robotaxi program in Austin and the Bay Area. Tesla’s Robotaxi service uses Unsupervised FSD, which is not yet released to customers.
However, in a post on X, Musk stated that Tesla is preparing its next big update for its consumer-grade FSD system—V14. Musk did not provide a lot of details about FSD V14’s capabilities, but the CEO did state that the update will feature a 10X higher parameter count, among other improvements.
“The FSD release in about 6 weeks will be a dramatic gain with a 10X higher parameter count and many other improvements. It’s going through training & testing now. Once we confirm real-world safety of FSD 14, which we think will be amazing, the car will nag you much less,” Musk wrote in his post.
Tesla Unsupervised FSD Rollout
During the second quarter earnings call, Tesla executives were asked for a timeline on the rollout of Unsupervised FSD to consumer vehicles. In his reply, Musk stated that he believes Unsupervised FSD will be available for consumers in certain geographies. He did explain that Tesla will be extra careful with the system’s release.
“We are getting there. I think it will be available for unsupervised personal use by the end of this year in certain geographies. We are just being very careful about it. This is not something we should rush,” Musk said, adding that “I am confident that by this year, within a number of cities in the US, it will be available to end users.
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