Elon Musk’s Tesla is a powerhouse in the electric vehicle industry. The company has been around for nearly two decades and a leader in great inventions that promote clean energy. The EV maker has experienced booming sales over the past few years, thus solidifying its name as an industry leader.

However, as excellent as its innovations are, the company has its flaws, which a recent recall has made clear. So if you’ve been thinking about buying from Elon Musk, you might want to put it on hold for a while.

Tesla has been on an upward trajectory in recent years

Tesla launched in 2003, but it wasn’t until 2008 that the automaker began producing electric vehicles with Musk at its helm. The brand’s vision is to develop and produce EVs at affordable prices. Tesla’s first electric vehicle sedan, the Model S, launched in 2010, put it on the map, thus earning the company a reputation as a disruptor in the vehicle industry.

Soon the Model X SUV followed, launching in 2015 to great reception in the market. The Model 3 sedan, launched in 2017, quickly grew to become the car manufacturer’s successful electric vehicle since Tesla’s launch. The company has especially experienced excellent reception in the United States, with the US accounting for most of its sales globally.

Good Car Bad Car recently reported that the automaker experienced a 280% growth, with sales shooting to 197,517 in 2018 from 48,000 in 2017. Globally, Tesla witnessed a 138% growth in sales . Tesla also beat out General Motors for the top position for having reached 200,000 cumulative sales of electric vehicles in the US.

With the cumulative sales, Tesla has reached the end of its government subsidy cap of $7,500 for every vehicle they sold, meaning from January 2020, all Tesla vehicles sold didn’t receive any subsidies.

Tesla set to recall up to 500,000 cars in the US

The Verge recently reported that Tesla announced a voluntary recall for more than 475,000 cars in the US. The publication noted that the electric vehicle firm recalled a total of 356,309 vehicles due to potential rearview camera issues with the Model 3 Tesla vehicles released between 2017 to 2020. The company also recalls 119,009 Model S Teslas due to problems with the front trunk.

The issue with the Model S recall is especially concerning since the problem is with the front trunk, meaning it is possible to obstruct the driver’s view if it flies open while driving. In an official filing for the recall to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Tesla detailed that “the front trunk latch assembly may be misaligned, preventing the secondary hood latch from engaging.”

Since the issue is more of misalignment than a damaged part, the company believes repositioning the latch device would solve the problem. For Model 3 owners with rearview camera issues, Tesla pledged to install a new guide protector and a cable harness for free.

Tesla has had similar recalls in the past

Tesla’s reputation has taken a hit with the recent recall of its Model 3 and Model S vehicles, but it isn’t the first time the automaker is facing a recall. Earlier in 2021, the BBC reported that the electric vehicle manufacturer was asked to recall 158,000 vehicles of its Model S and Model X vehicles.

The news outlet further explained that the recall was due to failing touch screens that could potentially increase the risk of crashes. The issue was with the company’s memory chips for its display for models made between 2012 and 2018 for the Model S sedans and 2016 to 2018 for the Model X vehicles. The BBC noted that the chips wear out with time, leading the screens to stop working. The recall began at the end of March 2021. So, if you are thinking of getting a new Tesla, it is best to be aware of this possible issue.