When is a recall not a recall? Perhaps when an automaker can fix a problem without owners having to bring their cars in for service, then as Elon Musk recently tweeted, “the word ‘recall’ needs to be recalled.”

NHTSA has issued an official recall for 2013 Model S cars with certain NEMA 240 volt adapters, due to the possibility that “an overheated adapter, cord, or wall receptacle, increases the risk of burn injury and/or fire.” 29,222 units are potentially affected by this recall.

Tesla became aware of several cases of overheating in the past couple of months, and addressed the problem with an over-the-air update of the car’s firmware. The company says most of the cars have already been updated. For good measure, it mailed out upgraded adapters as well.

Tesla issued this statement in response to NHTSA’s recall announcement: “The term “recall” is outdated. No vehicles are being physically recalled by Tesla. We issued a software update in December 2013 and as an additional measure will be sending an upgraded NEMA 14-50 adapter by mail to customers. As a result, Tesla owners do not need to physically come to a Tesla store or service center.”

Source: Green Car Reports, InsideEVs
Image: carlosgomez/Flickr