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.

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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.”