Tesla is once again in the spotlight for a major recall, this time affecting 7,301 Model Y SUVs in Australia. The recall, issued for vehicles produced in 2025, addresses a software defect in the driver’s side window’s automatic protection system, raising concerns about passenger safety.
According to Australia’s Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts, the faulty software could cause the window to close with excessive force if it fails to detect an obstruction. This poses a significant risk of injury to occupants, prompting the immediate action by authorities.
This latest incident serves as a stark reminder of the evolving landscape of automotive digitization. While software enables convenient, over-the-air (OTA) fixes, it simultaneously introduces new layers of vulnerability. The growing frequency of Tesla’s software-driven recalls in Australia underscores the critical need for robust quality assurance within electric vehicle (EV) systems.
For affected owners, the remedy is designed to be seamless. Tesla will issue an over-the-air (OTA) software update, eliminating the need for a dealership visit. Notifications will be sent directly to owners of the affected vehicles. Importantly, cars already running software version 2025.26.6 or newer are not impacted by this specific recall.
This isn't an isolated incident for the electric vehicle giant. The current recall mirrors a similar event in the U.S. in 2022, which saw over 1.1 million Tesla vehicles, including Model 3 and Model S units, recalled for an identical automatic window safety issue. Closer to home, this is Tesla’s second major recall in Australia this year, following a March 2025 recall of nearly 300 Model Y and Model 3 vehicles due to potential power steering loss.
Since 2021, Tesla has initiated 17 recalls in Australia, with the majority stemming from software glitches rather than hardware defects. This trend highlights the increasing complexity and reliance on digital systems in modern automobiles, emphasizing the ongoing challenge for manufacturers to ensure impeccable software integrity and driver safety as vehicle technology continues to advance.