Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in Canada are currently undergoing a "problem assessment survey" from Transport Canada due to potential problems with the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC) during model 3 and Model Y operations in cold-weather climates. Transport Canada is a government organization responsible for "developing canadian regulations, policies and services for road, rail, sea and air transport", and under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, companies must notify the manufacturer of any defect that may lead to reduced safety for drivers or passengers.
As of today, Transport Canada has received 16 complaints from multiple Canadian owners about HVAC systems for Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. The agency said in a statement that the complaint concerned "the performance of the HVAC system in cold weather conditions" of both the Model 3 and Model Y models. The complaints will prompt Transport Canada to launch a "problem assessment investigation" and further evaluate the details of the complaint to "better understand HVAC operations in cold climates," which the agency said was not a recall of the vehicles involved.
There have been various reports over the past week that some drivers in Canada and Alaska may be experiencing some problems with their heat pump systems, and the agency's investigation is mainly concerned about the vehicle's possible difficulties in removing fog and defrosting for the windshield, which may affect the driver's visibility and thus create dangerous situations.
It is understood that Tesla introduced a heat pump in the Model 3 at the end of 2020 as part of the vehicle's updated design, which is designed to help improve the efficiency of the vehicle in cold climates, because the previous and traditional heater core designs did not play a significant role in coping with mileage loss in winter climates.
A Tesla technician later said: "Tesla takes this cold weather climate issue very seriously – they are very worried about the safety of drivers and will definitely prioritize this issue." Tesla will roll out potential bug fixes sometime in the near future via over-the-air software updates.