Tesla Recalls 200,000 Vehicles for Rearview Camera Glitch

Tesla recently recalled almost every vehicle it has sold to update the Autopilot system with new driver monitoring features and safeguards. We’re now learning of another significant recall, this time involving almost 200,000 cars for issues with the backup camera software that could obstruct visibility.

The recall affects Model S, X, and Y vehicles equipped with the full self-driving computer system version 4 and a specific version of Tesla’s operating system. All affected models are from 2023. Recall documentation states that the software may cause the camera image to appear blank when the vehicle is in reverse.

The visibility reduction could increase the risk of a crash, but Tesla said owners could continue driving the vehicle using the old-school backup method, which requires the driver to turn their head and use the mirrors to see behind the car. Teslas have several cameras, some of which are integrated with vehicle safety systems and driver assistance features, so joking aside, they’re an essential part of everyday operation.

Tesla has received 81 warranty claims related to the problem but said it’s not aware of crashes, injuries, or deaths. The automaker has already released a software update to fix the camera issue, which began rolling out in late December. Tesla stores and owners will be notified by mail, but the software update is free and does not require a trip to a service center.

[Image: Sylv1Rob1 via Shutterstock]

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from TheTruthAboutCars https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/news-blog/tesla-recalls-200-000-vehicles-for-rearview-camera-glitch-44504845?utm_medium=auto&utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=all_full

Used Car of the Day: 2004 Land Rover Discovery

We send you into the weekend with a weird one today. It's a 2004 Land Rover Discovery with a brand-new engine.

There are just 3,000 miles on the engine, which is a 4.6-liter. The trim is an SE and the transmission is an automatic.

Our seller isn't very verbose, but he or she does mention a snorkel and no rust.

The ask is $25,000 and this Land Rover is for sale in Raleigh. Check it out here.

[Image: Seller]

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from TheTruthAboutCars https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/used-cars/used-car-of-the-day-2004-land-rover-discovery-44504836?utm_medium=auto&utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=all_full

Chevrolet Adds Trail Boss to Silverado HD

It’s a great time to be a fan of burly off-road pickup trucks from the Bowtie brand. With multiple flavors of dirt road fun in three different sizes, Chevy has covered just about all bases.

Proving things don’t always happen in order, the Silverado HD is getting a Trail Boss trim for 2025, a model whose off-road chops slide in between the Z71 and ZR2 – though both of those have options been available on the HD trucks for a spell already. Adding this trim to the Heavy Duty line completes a trifecta of sorts, with Trail Boss now showing up on midsize Colorado, half-ton Silverado 1500, and now these brutish HDs.

What makes a Trail Boss? Hove underneath the truck in LT or LTZ guise are a set of suspenders from the Z71, including specially tuned shocks which are not the trick DSSV units. If you want those, get a ZR2. Meaty tires on unique 20-inch wheels are part of the deal, as are swaths of blacked-out trim and badges. Stickers don’t add horsepower or off-road prowess but at least advertise the fact you’re not rocking a bog standard Silverado HD.

The 6.6-liter V8 gasser is standard, a mill which showed up this year with 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque; there’s no indication those numbers will change for 2025. Meanwhile, the 6.6L Duramax diesel is the one you really want, belting out 470 horses and 975 lb-ft of twist. Both engines dance with a ten-speed automatic.

Elsewhere, the interior got a much-needed revamp last year, so other changes are minor. Park assists now appear on more trims, as does adaptive cruise control. Note that adaptive cruise is not Super Cruise – nor is it Ultra Cruise, a tech innovation The General has folded into the Super Cruise family and will no longer market separately. There’s a spate of black-out packages for 2025 as well.

These trucks will be available in summer of 2024. Pricing will be announced closer to the start of production.

[Image: Chevrolet]

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from TheTruthAboutCars https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/news-blog/chevrolet-adds-trail-boss-to-silverado-hd-44504818?utm_medium=auto&utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=all_full

Report: Tesla Model Y Was the World's Best-Selling Vehicle in 2023

Tesla was recently overtaken by Chinese automaker BYD as the world’s largest EV builder, but the American company had the world’s best-selling vehicle overall last year. According to a new report from data company JATO Dynamics, the Model Y sold 1.23 million vehicles, making it the global best-seller by a large margin.

The Toyota RAV4 came in second with 1.07 million units, and the Corolla landed third with 1.01 million sold. The Tesla took the top spot in Europe and China, the two biggest EV markets in the world. It outsold popular models like the Dacia Sandero, Peugeot 208, and VW T-Roc. Data from 2023 shows a reversal of roles for Tesla and Toyota, as the Japanese giant previously held the top two spots with the RAV4 and Corolla.

Pricing has been a significant driver of Tesla’s success. The Model Y was 23 percent cheaper than the average EV cost in America and 18 percent lower than EV costs in Germany. JATO pointed out that Tesla’s price cuts and high profile helped it overtake Toyota and others.

While good news for Tesla, the Model Y’s success presents more challenges to automakers hoping to make inroads with American EV buyers. Nobody even came close to Tesla’s EV sales, as Ford, GM, and others were far behind last year.

[Image: Tesla]

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from TheTruthAboutCars https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/news-blog/report-tesla-model-y-was-the-world-s-best-selling-vehicle-in-2023-44504824?utm_medium=auto&utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=all_full

GM Pushed Shift Time Back to Let Workers Watch NFC Championship Game

The Detroit Lions have never played in a Super Bowl, but the team’s appearance in this Sunday’s NFC Championship game may pave the way for its first Big Game. The whole city is understandably excited, and to help its employees enjoy the game, General Motors is delaying a shift at its Flint Assembly Plant.

Some employees at the plant took to social media to celebrate the decision. One shared Ford's internal memo to workers, notifying them of the change. “We recognize the Detroit Lions playing in the NFC Championship game as a rare, unique opportunity that warrants this temporary schedule adjustment to allow employees to enjoy the game and make it to work on time.”

GM’s Flint facility is the only one with a third Sunday shift. The plant builds Chevrolet and GMC heavy-duty trucks, and many of the location’s almost 5,000 employees have been in the game day spirit all week, wearing blue and silver to work.

This is a rare move from the automaker. One employee responded to a post on Reddit to say that they’d never seen a delay or shutdown in 13+ years, even for two feet of snow. Unfortunately for local fans, the NFC Championship game is away in San Francisco, but they’ll at least be able to enjoy the show before heading in to build trucks on the graveyard shift. 

[Image: Bryan Pollard via Shutterstock]

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from TheTruthAboutCars https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/news-blog/gm-pushed-shift-time-back-to-let-workers-watch-nfc-championship-game-44504815?utm_medium=auto&utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=all_full

Used Car of the Day: 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL350

Diesel SUV alert. This 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL350 has the BlueTEC powertrain.

It also has the Premium Package 1 and 2, the Towing Package, and leather interior. The warranty on the BlueTEC has yet to expire.

That said, the compression is low and so, at the moment, the vehicle isn't running.

That's why the ask of $5,000 is so low -- you can sink the rest of your money into getting it running.

If that kind of project interests you, you can click here to see this California-based ride.

[Images: Seller]

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from TheTruthAboutCars https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/used-cars/used-car-of-the-day-2012-mercedes-benz-gl350-44504812?utm_medium=auto&utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=all_full

Used Car of the Day: 2011 Lotus Evora S

Hey, wanna buy a Lotus?

This 2011 Lotus Evora S with 51,000 miles and a manual transmission might be your speed.

The car appears to be well-maintained and the seller says it's "well-sorted".

Mods include a carbon-fiber louvered rear window, carbon fiber sail panel, a GT4-style wing, modified tail lights, Alcantara steering wheel, rear subwoofers, front tweeters, and Recaro seats. The intake, exhaust, clutch, flywheel, and shifter are all modded.

The brakes are also upgraded -- and there's even more I am not listing here for the sake of brevity.

Some of the downsides include flawed paint and some cosmetic issues on the inside and undercarriage.

Click here to see this Wisconsin-based car -- note the Road America license plate, I approve -- that has an ask of $55,000.

[Images: Seller]

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from TheTruthAboutCars https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/used-cars/used-car-of-the-day-2011-lotus-evora-s-44504806?utm_medium=auto&utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=all_full