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Comment by gfosco | Hacker News Reader

False.

@elonmusk "There was an over-the-air software update (done last month) and an upgraded US 14-50 adapter will be mailed to customers."

@elonmusk "Some confusion in media reports today. No Tesla vehicles are being physically recalled by Tesla."

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/423145289310953473

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/423144357873479680

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How is this different from a recall? I've had a number of recalls on various vehicles and it usually just involves the dealer replacing some part or another. The fact that Tesla is mailing the part to customers in this case makes it not a recall...?

It's the adapter that plugs into the charger as opposed to a part on the car.

In the eyes of the consumer it feels much less obtrusive.

Hearing that 30,000 Model S owners have to take their car back to the shop to get a problem fixed feels much worse than receiving a part in the mail.

The latter makes me feel like it's a simple fix since I don't have to have a mechanic do it and that it must not be that serious if they trust me to do it myself.

Semantics aside, as far as PR goes there's a huge difference.

The NHTSA considers it a recall. This "not a recall" claim seems to just be PR spin by Tesla:

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/UCM4...

Also, Tesla calls it "a voluntary recall" in this document (at the end of the Chronology of Principal Events):

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/UCM4...

If TSLA stocks fall because of this, it's probably a great time to buy.

Agreed... but strangely enough, it's shot up more than 10% and made me smile. When it corrects, it will be time to buy again.

Yeah. I had checked after seeing the article. So much for picking something up at a discount.

Well, TSLA is up nearly 10% today, so take that as you will.

Just to note, when I read the title, it sounded like Tesla was recalling the entire car. So at least one person was confused over the term "recall".

That's just because you don't know what a vehicle recall is. I don't believe "the entire car" has ever been recalled...

Which is because the term "recall" is misleading, especially in this case.

The title suggests that tens of thousands of people will take their Teslas back to the shop, which is not the case (instead, the owners will receive a new adapter in the mail).

My verdict is split between sloppy journalism, and a quick hatchet job.

A "recall" is usually used in reference to a product being physically returned to the supplier in some form. A vehicle recall means you have to take the vehicle to the manufacturer or dealer so they can take physical action on it for you.

This isn't a recall because you're not taking your vehicle anywhere. They're sending you something. I don't really know what to actually call it, though.

Probably cost Tesla less, always good.

My 2008 Toyota Highlander has had like 3-4 recalls that I had to go into the dealer for. The last of which was software. And, I'm not counting the one where I pulled in for a service and the dude said "whoa, your tires are falling apart" and I got 5 brand new tires. I had 15k miles on the originals.

Wow, the MSM really loves kicking on Tesla.

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