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A new recall has been issued for Tesla Model Y vehicles, affecting all 2025 variants sold in Australia, which the federal transport department said totalled more than 7300 cars.
The recall is related to a software issue that means the driver’s side automatic windows may not function as intended. Specifically, they may not detect objects in the way and close “with excessive force on any obstruction such as a body part”, said the transport department, which issued the recall.
All 2025 Tesla Model Y vehicles are subject to the recall and will receive a software update to address the problematic window.
“If a body part is in the window space when the driver’s side window is closing, it can increase the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.”
Tesla will be contacting owners of affected cars in writing, and plans to remedy the issue via a software update delivered over the internet.
This is not the first time concerns have been raised about body parts being caught in Teslas. Last year, purchasers of the Cybertruck expressed worries about the sharp edges on the automatically closing boot and doors, with some influencers showing damaging results on vegetables (and fingers) even after Tesla issued a software update to make the closing safer.
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And in 2022, a US recall of Model S and Model 3 reads very similarly to the latest Australian recall, with the regulators noting that the vehicles’ automatic windows “may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction”.
This is the second Australian recall for Tesla this year, and the 17th since 2021.
Vehicle recalls are common in Australia, and affect all makes, with manufacturers that sell many different models tending to see more. In fact, in a list of the car makes that have been subject to the most recalls in 2025, Tesla isn’t even in the top 20.
However, while many recalls are related to mechanical or quality-control issues that could pose an issue over time if not addressed, most Tesla recalls relate to software.
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In 2022, a software issue affecting about 1600 cars meant tail lights were not illuminating properly. Last year, a software issue affecting almost 35,000 cars meant the vehicle could be driven with an unlatched bonnet, without warning the user as designed. And earlier this year, a software issue affecting only a few hundred cars could result in a loss of power steering. All these issues were resolved via software updates.
Some Tesla recalls have been due to physical faults, including a rear camera cable routed improperly, and cars not meeting Australian requirements for child-seat anchors.
The latest issue comes as investors and analysts continue to express concerns over Tesla founder and chief executive Elon Musk, who has been increasingly focused on US politics, his social media platform X and his artificial intelligence group xAI, in addition to his aerospace outfit SpaceX.
Last month, Tesla authorised a new incentive of $46 billion in shares for Musk, which will vest if he continues to serve in the top post for another two years.
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