Tesla Recalls 2,700 Model X SUVs to Repair 3rd-Row Seats

Tesla Motors said it’s recalling 2,700 Model X sport utility vehicles because strength tests done by the automaker revealed issues with the third-row seats.

“Recently, during an internal seat strength test that was conducted prior to the start of Model X deliveries in Europe, the recliner in a third-row Model X seat unexpectedly slipped,” Tesla said Monday in an email to affected customers, all of whom are in the United States. “Until the recall is performed, you may make full use of your Model X, although we ask that you temporarily not have anyone sit in the third-row seats while the car is in use.”

Tesla began delivering the Model X in September. The voluntary recall, the first for the SUV, covers vehicles that were made before March 26. Tesla is now constructing new third-row seat backs and expects to replace them all within five weeks. The Model X action comes after the electric-car maker unveiled its mass-market Model 3 sedan on March 31 and said Thursday that the car had reached more than 325,000 pre-orders.

The Model X recall “is out of an abundance of caution for our customers,” Jon McNeil, Tesla’s president of sales and service, told reporters on a conference call Monday. “There have been no issues with any failures in the field.”

Tesla has brought some of its seat manufacturing in-house. Futuris SA is the supplier of the Model X’s third-row seats, and Tesla said it’s holding Futuris responsible for the costs.

McNeil said that Model X production remains on track and that the voluntary recall will not affect the production rate.

In November, Tesla recalled 90,000 Model S sedans to check seat belts.