Tesla’s popular Model Y electric SUV has been recalled in New Zealand and Australia due to a software fault that could cause injury to drivers.
The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) issued the recall on August 26 for certain 2025 Model Y vehicles running software versions earlier than 2025.26.6.
The issue stems from a firmware feature that was not enabled. As a result, the window may not detect obstructions properly, raising the risk of injury.
The fault would be resolved via an over-the-air software update and affected owners did not need to schedule a service appointment.
While NZTA did not disclose how many vehicles were thought to be affected, the Tesla Model Y was currently the top-selling electric vehicle in New Zealand.
Around 740 vehicles have been registered this year alone.
Across the Tasman, the issue prompted a much larger recall in Australia, where 7301 Model Y vehicles have been flagged by the federal transport department.
Officials there warned the automatic protection system on the driver’s side window may not operate as intended, posing a risk of injury if a body part is in the window space while closing.
The fault echoed a similar issue in the United States in 2022, which led to a recall of nearly 1.1 million Tesla vehicles, including Model 3 and Model S units.
The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the vehicles’ automatic windows “may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction”.
