More than 500 Tesla Model 3s recalled for safety change

More than 500 new electric cars have been recalled within weeks of their release in Australia after a change to an important safety feature.

The federal Transport Department issued the recall for new edition Tesla Model 3 vehicles on Wednesday after the automaker made a controversial change to the vehicleā€™s child seat connection.

The alteration resulted in the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) denying the vehicle a safety rating in Australia, even though the model it replaced had earned a five-star rating, and threatened to halt deliveries of the vehicle to customers.

The Transport Department said 505 Tesla Model 3 vehicles were affected by the change, which put the cars in breach of Australian Design Rules.

ā€œIf the top-tether restraint anchorage for the rear-centre seat is not accessible in accordance with Australian Design Rule 34/03, an infant or child car seat restraint cannot be securely attached to it,ā€ the recall said.

The redesigned Model 3, which began to arrive in Australia in December, put the child safety seat anchorage point beneath a panel at the rear of the car.

But Australian Design Rules state that passenger cars must feature anchors that can be accessed ā€œwithout the use of toolsā€.

Motorists who bought the redesigned Tesla Model 3 vehicles will be contacted by the manufacturer to organise a service appointment.

The recall noted that until the vehicle had been altered, drivers ā€œshould not secure an infant or child car seat on the rear-centre seat or otherwise attach an infant or child car seat restraint to the top-tether anchorageā€.

The issue is the second time an electric car has faced action over child seat anchors after sales of the BYD Atto 3 were paused in 2022 over a similar issue.

Tesla remains the most popular electric car brand in Australia after selling more than 17,000 Model 3 vehicles in 2023, according to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.

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Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson
(Australian Associated Press)

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