TESLA TO FIX TOUCH SCREENS, ENDING SPAT WITH US REGULATORS

After initially refusing a request from U.S. safety regulators, Tesla has now agreed to recall about 135,000 vehicles because the large touch screens on the console can go dark.

The recall of certain 2012 through 2018 Model S sedans and 2016 through 2018 Model X SUVs ends a fight with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which had started the process of taking the electric vehicle maker to court.

Last month the agency sent Tesla a recall request letter, saying that after an investigation, it had concluded tentatively that the screens are defective and pose a safety risk because the backup camera displays and defroster controls would go dark. Tesla had refused to do a recall, saying that over-the-air software updates would take care of the problem.

But in a document posted by NHTSA, Tesla said it would recall the vehicles and replace the screens’ computer processors, even though it disagreed that the problem is a safety defect. The company said it would perform the recall “in the interest of bringing administrative closure to the investigation and to ensure the best ownership experience for our customers.”