The $90,000 Tesla that Donald Trump ‘purchased’ from elon musk has received a staggering number of recall notices, leaving many shocked.
Trump purchases Tesla to show support for Musk
Donald Trump recently announced his purchase of a red Tesla Model S.
The decision was meant to express confidence in Elon Musk amid what Trump described as a “boycott” against Tesla.
The announcement came on March 11 via Truth Social.
Trump stated that his purchase would support Musk as Tesla’s stock faced a decline. However, he later admitted that he would not be able to drive the car himself.
White House becomes a Tesla showroom
Elon Musk brought several Tesla models to the White House earlier this week.
Trump personally inspected the vehicles and selected a red Model S. He praised it as a “beautiful” car.
However, some have speculated whether he actually paid full price for the vehicle.
During the inspection, viewers noticed that Trump had a list of Tesla prices. However, there was a glaring omission—the recall history of the Model S.
Model S has faced 37 safety recalls
Since its debut in 2012, the Model S has been subject to 37 safety recalls. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has flagged several concerns over the years.
The most recent recall occurred in January 2024. The issue involved a faulty circuit board that could short out. This could cause the rearview camera to fail, increasing the risk of accidents.
The recall affected 239,382 vehicles, including certain Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y cars from 2023 to 2025.
The NHTSA explained that these cars failed to comply with federal rear visibility standards.
They said: “These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, ‘Rear Visibility’.”
Tesla addressed the issue with an over-the-air software update. The update adjusted the vehicle power-up sequence to prevent power failures.
History of safety concerns with Tesla
The Model S has faced recalls for several other reasons.
Past issues have involved airbags, power steering assist, door handles, brake discs, and Tesla’s self-driving features.
Despite these concerns, Tesla is not alone in dealing with multiple recalls. Other major car brands have also faced similar safety-related challenges in recent years.
Trump’s Tesla ownership comes with restrictions
Despite his purchase, Trump will not be able to drive the car himself.
The US Secret Service prohibits sitting presidents from driving on public roads for security reasons. Instead, a trained agent will be responsible for driving Trump’s new Tesla.
While Trump may never personally experience the recall issues, the Model S’s safety record remains a topic of discussion.
Whether his endorsement boosts Tesla’s image or raises more concerns remains to be seen.