Tesla issues voluntary global recall for some Model S and Model X cars

Tesla has issued a voluntary global recall for some of its Model S and Model X cars to fix a problem with the parking brake. According to the electric car maker about 2 per cent of the 53,000 vehicles built from February to October 2016 had the defect, and all those cars were being recalled.

In US trading, Tesla shares closed down 1 per cent at $302.51 on news of the recall.

Tesla said in a statement that the electric parking brakes installed on Model S and Model X "may contain a small gear that could have been manufactured improperly by our third-party supplier".

If the event of the breakage of the gear, the parking brake would continue to keep the car from moving, but the parking brake would be stuck in place, it added.

Tesla added that there had been no reports of parking brake failure, and said it was "safe to continue regular use of your vehicle."

The company will send an official recall notice to customers, with information on how the parking brakes could be replaced.

In 2013, the Tesla Model S had received a 5-star safety rating from US federal government agency National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It said the vehicle "set a new record for the lowest likelihood of injury to occupants".

The faulty part was supplied by a unit of Italy's Brembo, a spokeswoman for Brembo North America confirmed.

''We are working with Tesla to ensure the issue is resolved quickly,'' she said.

Tesla added that it had not seen ''a single accident or injury'' relating to the brake issue, and there had been no reports of the system failing to hold a parked vehicle or stop a vehicle in an emergency.