Tesla Recalls 12,963 Model 3 and Model Y Cars Over Battery Contactor That Can Cut Power Without Warning

Tesla is recalling 12,963 vehicles in the United States because a defect in a battery-pack component can cause a sudden loss of drive power, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. The recall covers certain 2025 Model 3 sedans and 2026 Model Y crossovers. The problem is a battery-pack contactor whose solenoid, supplied by InTiCa, can open unexpectedly because of a poor connection at the coil termination.

If the solenoid fails while driving, the car can lose propulsion without prior warning, forcing the driver to pull over; the infotainment screen then displays a warning telling the driver to pull over safely. If it fails while parked, the car may not shift into Drive. Tesla said it will replace the affected battery-pack contactor free of charge. As of October 7, the company had identified 36 warranty claims and 26 field reports related to the condition, but said it was unaware of any collisions, injuries or fatalities linked to it.

The recall lands in a crowded month for Tesla safety scrutiny. Earlier in October, NHTSA opened a separate investigation into millions of Tesla vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving after dozens of reports of traffic-safety violations and crashes. Owners of the recalled cars should watch for the official notification and book the free contactor replacement rather than waiting for a warning light, since this failure gives no advance alert before power is lost.