Tesla Semi Recall Suggests Production Stalled

Tesla has issued a voluntary recall for the Tesla Semi, which involves a software update to ensure the proper functioning of the side door warning system.

The recall itself is relatively minor, as it only requires a software update to change the on-screen warning display. However, this recall sheds some light on the progress of Tesla Semi production.

In March, Tesla issued its first recall for the Tesla Semi due to a defective parking brake module supplied by Intellipark systems. This recall affected other truck models with the same brake module, indicating that it wasn't solely a Tesla-specific problem.

The previous recall covered vehicles manufactured between November 30 and February 28, totaling 35 vehicles. This number aligns closely with the reported deployment of 36 vehicles by Tesla's first customer, PepsiCo and its subsidiary Frito-Lay.

The latest recall now encompasses 36 vehicles, just one less than the previous recall, and matches the previously reported number of deployments.

According to the recall documentation, the affected trucks were produced between November 30 and March 15.

This means that the recall extends to an additional 15 days of truck production and includes one more truck produced during that period.

Tesla identified the software violation of FMVSS rules on June 1 and promptly developed a fix, which it began implementing on June 6.

This raises some questions: Were trucks produced after March 15 already equipped with a newer software version, with only the older trucks requiring an update? Are there additional trucks produced after March 15 that will receive the updated software but are not mentioned in the recall notice? Or has Tesla simply not produced any trucks since March 15?

However, as of late 2022, Tesla's plan was to achieve an annual production of 50,000 trucks by 2024. This target appears unlikely based on the recent production update.

Reports suggest that Tesla has a production line capable of manufacturing five Semis per week. In its last quarterly report, Tesla referred to this as the "pilot production" line for the Semi but did not provide specific production figures for the first quarter. Based on the details from the recall update, it seems that this pilot line may still be operating significantly below its capacity, even for pilot production.