Tesla recalls 53,000 cars over faulty brakes

Tesla has announced it will voluntarily recall 53,000 of its Model S and Model X electric cars due to an issue "that could prevent the parking brake from releasing".

While only five per cent of cars around the world are believed to have the fault, the company says it is unable to pinpoint which vehicles are affected and must therefore recall more cars than necessary.

"There have been no reports of the parking brake system failing to hold a parked vehicle or failing to stop a vehicle in an emergency as a result of this condition and this part has no impact on the car's regular braking systems", it says, adding: "Only a very small percentage of gears in vehicles built during this period were manufactured improperly."

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Customers who bought a Model S saloon or Model X SUV between February and October 2016 will be emailed by the company to return their cars to their nearest dealership, says AutoExpress.

The fix is expected to take around 45 minutes, although the magazine says it may take Tesla until October to fully complete the recall.

In 2015, the company voluntarily recalled 90,000 Model S saloons over a faulty seatbelt system after a customer reported an issue where the front passenger seatbelt would not connect with the buckle.

Both the Model S and Model X have been critical hits for Tesla, which launches its all-new Model 3 saloon this year.

The Model 3 will be the company's first mass-production electric car, with prices starting at around £30,000, making it £33,500 cheaper than the entry-level Model S 75.