Over 10,000 units sold between 2020 and 2022 are affected, following at least 22 incidents involving smoke, overheating, or fire.
Tesla’s Powerwall 2 Faces U.S. Recall After Safety Incidents
Tesla is recalling over 10,000 Powerwall 2 home battery systems sold in the U.S. after multiple reports of units overheating, smoking, or catching fire, according to a notice from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
The decision follows a similar recall in Australia earlier this year, where Tesla also acknowledged safety risks tied to battery cell overheating. In both cases, the issue stems from third-party-manufactured battery cells, though Tesla has not yet disclosed the U.S. supplier.
Incident Breakdown: Fires, Smoke, and Heat
The CPSC confirmed 22 overheating incidents in the U.S.:
- 5 units caught fire, causing minor property damage
- 6 units emitted smoke
- 11 units overheated without igniting
All affected units were sold between November 2020 and December 2022.
The initial report came from Electrek, which noted growing concerns about thermal safety in distributed home energy systems.
Tesla’s Response and What Owners Should Do
Tesla is taking a remote-first approach to mitigate the issue:
- Discharging affected Powerwalls remotely (for units that are online)
- Notifying owners via the Tesla app
- Providing replacement units at no cost
If you own a Powerwall 2 purchased during the affected timeframe, the CPSC advises:
- Open the Tesla app
- Confirm the unit is online and connected
- Check for recall status and next steps
“We urge all affected users to verify their system status and follow instructions provided via Tesla’s platform,” the CPSC stated in its official notice.
A Broader Concern for Tesla Energy
This recall adds pressure to Tesla’s energy division, which has been expanding aggressively into home energy storage and grid services.
While the Powerwall is widely praised for its smart energy management and solar integration, safety issues like this can undermine consumer trust — particularly in a product meant to operate near or inside homes.
With third-party battery suppliers involved in both U.S. and Australian recalls, questions are emerging about Tesla’s quality assurance protocols across its supply chain.
No Word Yet on Cell Manufacturer
Tesla has not confirmed whether the cell supplier responsible for the Australian recall is the same for the U.S. cases. The original Powerwall 2 packs were widely believed to contain cells manufactured by Panasonic, but newer batches may include cells from other partners.
What’s Next?
- Tesla is expected to release more details on the recall process via its app and support channels
- The CPSC will monitor for further reports of overheating or fire
- Consumers are advised to avoid physically inspecting or modifying their Powerwalls
Tesla is recalling over 10,000 Powerwall 2 home batteries in the U.S. after 22 overheating incidents, including 5 fires. Units sold from November 2020 to December 2022 are affected. Tesla will discharge impacted devices remotely and provide replacements through the Tesla app.
