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Tesla recalls charging adapters after two reports of plugs overheating

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Tesla Motors, Inc. has voluntarily recalled approximately 7,000 charging adapters after two cases of melted plastic around the NEMA 14-30 charging plug adapter were reported. No damage besides the melted plastic around the plug was reported in either case, according to a blog post made by Tesla.

The company writes, “In November 2016, we learned about two customers whose NEMA 14-30 charging adapters overheated. These are the only two such incidents that we know of anywhere in the world and neither resulted in any injuries or property damage. However, out of an abundance of caution, we’re replacing NEMA 14-30, 10-30 and 6-50 adapters that were made years ago by our original supplier.”

Replacements will be shipped beginning in the next few weeks, and Tesla advises customers to avoid using the specific adapter in the meantime. As noted, the recall does not involve the Tesla Wall Connector, Universal Mobile Connector (UMC), or popular NEMA 14-50 or 5-15 adapters that come standard with each Model S and Model X vehicle via the UMC kit.

tesla-recall-charging-adapters

Tesla said it notified U.S. regulators of its voluntary recall today. This will be the first Tesla recall of an accessory. A year ago, the company voluntarily recalled seat belts on all Model S after one report of an improperly latched front seat belt. In April, Tesla voluntarily recalled fewer than 3,000 Model X SUVs over concerns of strength on the third-row seats.

Recalls are common in the U.S. automotive industry. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has calculated that over 50 million cars had recalls of some kind in the last year.

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Tesla will also replace the NEMA 10-30 and 6-50 adapters, which have a similar design, even though there have not been any reported instances of overheating in that type of adapter. Those replacements will take about three months. Tesla says that customers can continue to use them in the meantime.

The recall involved a rarely used accessory item that is sold through the company’s online store. No international customers are affected.

We’ve provided the issued statement from Tesla

NEMA 14-30, 10-30, 6-50 Adapter Recall

Because safety is our top priority at Tesla, we want to inform you of an action we’re voluntarily taking to recall a small number of charging adapters.

This recall does not involve the Tesla Wall Connector, Universal Mobile Connector, NEMA 14-50 adapter, or NEMA 5-15 adapter that came standard with your Tesla and that most of our customers use for charging. It only involves NEMA 14-30, 10-30, and 6-50 adapters, which are sold separately as accessories and which are used by relatively few of our customers.

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In November 2016, we learned about two customers whose NEMA 14-30 charging adapters overheated. These are the only two such incidents that we know of anywhere in the world and neither resulted in any injuries or property damage. However, out of an abundance of caution, we’re replacing NEMA 14-30, 10-30 and 6-50 adapters that were made years ago by our original supplier.

If you have one of these NEMA 14-30 adapters and regularly use it, you will receive a replacement from us within the next couple of weeks. If you do not regularly use it you will receive a replacement as soon as possible. Until then, we ask that you stop using your current adapter, and that you instead charge your car in a different way, such as with a Tesla Wall Connector or NEMA 14-50 adapter (if you have one), or by Supercharging.

Although there have been no incidents with NEMA 10-30 or 6-50 adapters, they have some common elements with the NEMA 14-30, so we will be replacing those as well. These replacements will take about three months to develop and manufacture. In the meantime, since none of these adapters has ever overheated, you can continue to use them if you do not have another way to charge your car.

If you need additional assistance, you can also contact us by phone at 877-798-3752 or by email at ServiceHelpNA@teslamotors.com.

How to determine if your adapter is affected by the recall
Your adapter will likely be included in the recall if you purchased it more than six months ago. To check, compare the part number on the prong side of the adapter to the table below. If you find a match, your adapter will be replaced.

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Recalled Adapter Part Number
NEMA 6-50 1016021-00-A
NEMA 6-50 1016021-00-B
NEMA 10-30 1016174-00-B
NEMA 14-30 1018243-00-A
NEMA 14-30 1018243-00-B

The latest version of the NEMA 14-30 adapter does not need to be replaced. They have part number 1018243-00-C and have a gray plastic cap (on the right in the photo), rather than a black plastic cap (on the left in the photo).

tesla-nema-14-30-adapter

Are any of the standard equipment adapters affected?
No, only 14-30, 10-30 or 6-50 accessory adapters purchased separately are impacted by this recall. The 14-50 and 5-15 adapters included with your Tesla are not affected.

When will I receive my replacement adapter?
Replacement 14-30 adapters for those who regularly use them will be shipped to the address we have on file within the next couple weeks. Replacement 10-30 and 6-50 adapters will be shipped to the address we have on file in about three months. Please verify your address by signing in to your account.

May I exchange my adapter at a store or service center?
Replacement adapters will be mailed to your home. We will not carry replacement adapters in our stores and service centers until after the recall is complete.

Are the adapters made by Tesla?
The adapters were designed by Tesla and produced by a supplier.

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What will Tesla do with the old adapters?
Tesla will recycle materials from the returned adapters.

Carolyn Fortuna is a writer and researcher with a Ph.D. in education from the University of Rhode Island. She brings a social justice perspective to environmental issues. Please follow me on Twitter and Facebook and Google+

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Tesla rolls out most aggressive Model Y lease deal in the US yet

With the promotion in place, customers would be able to take home a Model Y at a very low cost.

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(Credit: Tesla)

Tesla has rolled out what could very well be its most aggressive promotion for Model Y leases in the United States yet. With the promotion in place, customers would be able to take home a Model Y at a very low cost.

Zero downpayment leases

The new Model Y lease promotion was initially reported on X, with industry watcher Sawyer Merritt stating that while the vehicles’ monthly payments are still similar to before, the cars can now be ordered with a $0 downpayment. 

Tesla community members noted that this promotion would cut the full payment cost of Model Y leases by several thousand dollars, though prices were still a bit better when the $7,500 federal tax credit was still in effect. Despite this, a $0 downpayment would likely be appreciated by customers, as it lowers the entry point to the Tesla ecosystem by a notable margin.

Premium freebies included

Apart from a $0 downpayment, customers of Model Y leases are also provided one free upgrade for their vehicles. These upgrades could be premium paint, such as Pearl White Multi-Coat, Deep Blue Metallic, Diamond Black, Quicksilver or Ultra Red, or 20″ Helix 2.0 Wheels. Customers could also opt for a White Interior or a Tow Hitch free of charge.

A look at Tesla’s Model Y order page shows that the promotion is available for all the Model Y Premium Rear-Wheel Drive and the Model Y Premium All-Wheel Drive. The Model Y Standard and the Model Y Performance are not eligible for the $0 downpayment or free premium upgrade promotion as of writing. 

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@teslarati 🚨 Tesla Full Self-Driving v14.1.7 is here and here’s some things it did extremely well! #tesla #teslafsd #fullselfdriving ♬ You Have It – Marscott
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Tesla is looking to phase out China-made parts at US factories: report

Tesla has reportedly swapped out several China-made components already, aiming to complete the transition within the next two years.

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(Source: Tesla)

Tesla has reportedly started directing its suppliers to eliminate China-made components from vehicles built in the United States. This would make Tesla’s US-produced vehicles even more American-made.

The update was initially reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Accelerating North American sourcing

As per the WSJ report, the shift reportedly came amidst escalating tariff uncertainties between Washington and Beijing. Citing people reportedly familiar with the matter, the publication claimed that Tesla has already swapped out several China-made components, aiming to complete the transition within the next two years. The publication also claimed that Tesla has been reducing its reliance on China-based suppliers since the pandemic disrupted supply chains.

The company has quietly increased North American sourcing over the past two years as tariff concerns have intensified. If accurate, Tesla would likely end up with vehicles that are even more locally sourced than they are today. It would remain to be seen, however, if a change in suppliers for its US-made vehicles would result in price adjustments for cars like the Model 3 and Model Y.

Industry-wide reassessments

Tesla is not alone in reevaluating its dependence on China. Auto executives across the automotive industry have been in rapid-response mode amid shifting trade policies, chip supply anxiety, and concerns over rare-earth materials. Fluctuating tariffs between the United States and China during President Donald Trump’s current term have made pricing strategies quite unpredictable as well, as noted in a Reuters report. 

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General Motors this week issued a similar directive to thousands of suppliers, instructing them to remove China-origin components from their supply chains. The same is true for Stellantis, which also announced earlier this year that it was implementing several strategies to avoid tariffs that were placed by the Trump administration. 

@teslarati 🚨 Tesla Full Self-Driving v14.1.7 is here and here’s some things it did extremely well! #tesla #teslafsd #fullselfdriving ♬ You Have It – Marscott
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Tesla owners propose interesting theory about Apple CarPlay and EV tax credit

“100%. It’s needed for sales because for many prospective buyers, CarPlay is a nonnegotiable must-have. If they knew how good the Tesla UI is, they wouldn’t think they need CarPlay,” one owner said.

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Credit: Tesla Raj/YouTube

Tesla is reportedly bracing for the integration of Apple’s well-known iOS automotive platform, CarPlay, into its vehicles after the company had avoided it for years.

However, now that it’s here, owners are more than clear that they do not want it, and they have their theories about why it’s on its way. Some believe it might have to do with the EV tax credit, or rather, the loss of it.

Owners are more interested in why Tesla is doing this now, especially considering that so many have been outspoken about the fact that they would not use it in favor of the company’s user interface (UI), which is extremely well done.

After Bloomberg reported that Tesla was working on Apple CarPlay integration, the reactions immediately started pouring in. From my perspective, having used both Apple CarPlay in two previous vehicles and going to Tesla’s in-house UI in my Model Y, both platforms definitely have their advantages.

However, Tesla’s UI just works with its vehicles, as it is intuitive and well-engineered for its cars specifically. Apple CarPlay was always good, but it was buggy at times, which could be attributed to the vehicle and not the software, and not as user-friendly, but that is subjective.

Nevertheless, upon the release of Bloomberg’s report, people immediately challenged the need for it:

Some fans proposed an interesting point: What if Tesla is using CarPlay as a counter to losing the $7,500 EV tax credit? Perhaps it is an interesting way to attract customers who have not owned a Tesla before but are more interested in having a vehicle equipped with CarPlay?

“100%. It’s needed for sales because for many prospective buyers, CarPlay is a nonnegotiable must-have. If they knew how good the Tesla UI is, they wouldn’t think they need CarPlay,” one owner said.

Tesla has made a handful of moves to attract people to its cars after losing the tax credit. This could be a small but potentially mighty strategy that will pull some carbuyers to Tesla, especially now that the Apple CarPlay box is checked.

@teslarati :rotating_light: This is why you need to use off-peak rates at Tesla Superchargers! #tesla #evcharging #fyp ♬ Blue Moon – Muspace Lofi

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