Transport Canada issued a recall notice for the Tesla Model 3, Model Y, and Model S on February 3, 2022, following the agency's discovery of problems with the heating systems of some Tesla vehicles.
Transport Canada reported that the recall affected more than 2,084 Tesla vehicles, with the recall primarily affecting Model 3 and Model Y in 2021 and 2022, in addition to Model S vehicles in 2020, 2021 and 2022. According to the report: "Some vehicles may lose cabin heating at low temperatures, and if this happens, the windshield defrost and defogging systems may not work as usual." ”
Safety risks occur when defrosting or fog removal systems are not working, and drivers will have difficulty seeing the road through the windshield, Transport Canada reports: "Reduced visibility may increase the risk of crashes." ”
Transport Canada noted that the issue affects Tesla vehicles with firmware versions 2021.44 to 2021.44.30.6, tesla must notify current owners of the problem within 60 days, and they will continue to review complaints related to the performance of Tesla models' heaters and defrosters.
As of Feb. 1, the agency had received 171 consumer complaints about the performance of Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems (HVAC) in cold weather conditions. On January 5, 2022, Transport Canada launched a problem assessment level defect investigation against Tesla after receiving six consumer complaints about the HVAC system of Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y vehicles.
The National Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a similar recall notice in the United States, and the U.S. regulator noted in its safety recall report that Tesla's software error caused the heat pumps of some of its cars to be accidentally turned on, adversely affecting its ability to defrost.