Tesla Model 3 (2020) Recall: Pedestrian Warning Sounds May Be Obscured
Tesla is recalling 2020 Model 3 vehicles with a software update to prevent pedestrian warning sounds from being obscured by Boombox audio, ensuring compliance with safety standards.
Use caution until it’s fixed
Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
Contact the company
What happened, in plain English
Tesla is recalling certain 2020 Model 3 vehicles because the Boombox feature can mask the Pedestrian Warning System sounds, potentially causing crashes with pedestrians. The fix involves a free software update that disables Boombox when the vehicle is moving. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/80049-tesla-model-3-2020-recall-pedestrian-warning-sounds-may-be.
Source Summary by GovInfoNow · govinfonow.com/recall/80049-tesla-model-3-2020-recall-pedestrian-warning-sounds-may-be · Updated October 4, 2026 · Official notice: NHTSA #22V235000
Cite this page
“Tesla Model 3 (2020) Recall: Pedestrian Warning Sounds May Be Obscured.” GovInfoNow, updated October 4, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/80049-tesla-model-3-2020-recall-pedestrian-warning-sounds-may-be. Based on NHTSA recall #22V235000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=22V235000).
Why it’s dangerous
The Boombox function plays external sounds while the vehicle is moving, which can block the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) from alerting pedestrians. This violates federal safety standards requiring vehicles to emit audible warnings to prevent collisions.
Who’s affected
Owners of 2020 Tesla Model 3 vehicles with the Boombox feature are affected. Pedestrians near these vehicles may be at risk if the warning sounds are obscured by the Boombox audio.
How to tell if you have this one
This recall applies to 2020 Tesla Model 3 vehicles with the Boombox feature. Owners received notification letters mailed June 6, 2022, and can check if their vehicle needs the update by contacting Tesla customer service.
- Brand
Tesla- Category
Vehicle
What to do — step by step
Stop Using Boombox While Moving
The software update will disable Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral, Reverse, or Summon/Smart Summon modes to prevent pedestrian warning sounds from being obscured.
Install Software Update
Tesla will send a free over-the-air software update to affected vehicles to fix the issue.
What NHTSA says to do
Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, including Summon and Smart Summon, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-003. Note: This recall supersedes recall 22V-063. Vehicles configured with Summon or Smart Summon and already remedied under 22V-063 will need to have the new remedy software installed.
How this recall unfolded
Recall timeline
2 dated steps over 6 months.
- Owner letters mailed
- NHTSA received the defect report
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
Contact Tesla
We’ve drafted a message you can send Tesla to request your refund or repair — edit it as you like.
Subject: Recall 22V235000 — Tesla Model 3 (2020) Recall: Pedestrian Warning Sounds May Be Obscured Hello, I own a Tesla Model 3 (2020) Recall: Pedestrian Warning Sounds May Be Obscured that is covered by recall 22V235000 from Tesla. The official recall notice states: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, including Summon and Smart Summon, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-003. Note: This recall supersedes recall 22V-063. Vehicles configured with Summon or Smart Summon and already remedied under 22V-063 will need to have the new remedy software installed. I’m writing to arrange the remedy described in the recall (a refund, repair, or replacement as applicable). Could you please tell me the next steps to resolve this? Thank you.
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Where this comes from
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official NHTSA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
- Official source: NHTSA Recall #22V235000 (December 4, 2022)
- Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on October 4, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the NHTSA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
- GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official NHTSA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.