Recall Details and Affected Products
The recall encompasses certain Tesla Powerwall 2 AC Battery Power Systems, fully integrated units designed for home energy storage, self-consumption, time-based control, and backup power during outages:
- Model: Powerwall 2, identifiable by the model number printed on the nameplate label on the side of the unit.
- Serial Numbers: Units with serial numbers starting with “E821” followed by a five-digit alphanumeric code (e.g., E821ABCDE).
Manufactured in the United States and sold online at Tesla.com/powerwall or through certified installers for about $8,000, the affected systems were distributed nationwide between November 2020 and December 2022. The hazard stems from lithium-ion battery cells that can fail during normal use, leading to the unit stopping, overheating, smoking, or igniting. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has designated this a Fast Track Recall (No. 26-092), announced on November 13, 2025, underscoring the urgency of the fire and burn risks.
Tesla has proactively addressed the issue by remotely discharging (removing energy from) online affected units via the Tesla App to mitigate immediate dangers. Consumers are urged to verify inclusion by ensuring their system is online and checking the app for notifications. The remedy involves a free replacement of the battery module, with Tesla coordinating installations through certified technicians. For support, contact Tesla at 877-961-7652 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. PT) or powerwallsupportna@tesla.com. Additional details and photos are available at tesla.com/support/energy/powerwall/own/powerwall-2-replacement [1].
This recall echoes prior Tesla battery issues, such as the 2021 Model S and X pack recalls for potential short circuits that risked fires, affecting over 78,000 vehicles and prompting similar remote software fixes and replacements.
Health Risks of Lithium-Ion Battery Overheating
Lithium-ion batteries, like those in the Powerwall 2, power everything from EVs to home storage but carry inherent thermal runaway risks when cells degrade or short-circuit:
- Thermal Runaway: Uncontrolled temperature spikes leading to rapid energy release, generating intense heat, toxic gases, and flames.
- Fire and Burn Hazards: Flames can exceed 1,000°F, causing severe burns, smoke inhalation, or structural fires in homes.
- Systemic Dangers: In residential settings, failures may trigger explosions or spread to nearby structures, endangering occupants and neighbors.
The CPSC and National Fire Protection Association report thousands of annual lithium-ion incidents worldwide, with home energy storage systems contributing to a rising subset; improper cooling or manufacturing defects amplify vulnerabilities [2].
Symptoms of Powerwall Overheating Exposure
Owners of recalled Powerwall 2 units may notice early warning signs before a full incident:
- Early Indicators: Unusual humming, warmth from the unit, or error alerts in the Tesla App signaling reduced performance.
- Escalating Effects: Acrid burning smell, visible smoke, or flickering flames, often accompanied by popping sounds from venting gases.
- Severe Consequences: Intense fire spread requiring evacuation; burns from direct contact or inhalation of corrosive fumes leading to respiratory distress.
- Property and Health Fallout: Even minor fires can cause thousands in smoke damage and long-term health issues like asthma exacerbation from toxins.
Emergency response involves immediate evacuation and calling 911; medical costs for burn treatment average $20,000–$100,000+ per case, per the American Burn Association.
Consumer Actions Following the Recall
The CPSC and Tesla recommend the following steps to safeguard homes and pursue remedies:
- Access the Tesla App to confirm if your Powerwall 2 is affected and note any remote discharge notifications.
- Cease use of offline or unmonitored units and isolate them from living spaces to prevent fire risks.
- Schedule a free replacement through Tesla’s support portal or hotline, documenting all communications.
- Contact Tesla at 877-961-7652 or powerwallsupportna@tesla.com for status updates and installation coordination.
Homeowners should photograph their unit’s serial number and retain purchase records for potential claims. Inspect installation sites for smoke damage and consult professionals for safety audits, preserving evidence for emerging Tesla Powerwall Recall Class Action Lawsuit filings.
Potential for a Tesla Powerwall Recall Class Action Lawsuit
The recall of 10,500 Powerwall 2 units due to fire hazards lays groundwork for a Tesla Powerwall Recall Class Action Lawsuit, potentially uniting affected consumers against the company for widespread safety failures. Viable claims may include:
- Product Liability: Defective design or manufacturing of lithium-ion cells that foreseeably led to overheating, breaching implied warranties of merchantability.
- Negligence: Inadequate pre-market testing and delayed disclosure, allowing units to reach consumers despite known risks from similar battery tech.
- Failure to Warn: Insufficient user alerts about thermal runaway symptoms or installation safeguards beyond app notifications.
- Consumer Protection Violations: Misrepresentations of Powerwall safety in marketing, violating state unfair trade practices acts.
Class members—spanning homeowners, installers, and insurers—could seek damages for property devaluation ($5,000–$50,000 per unit), emotional distress from fire fears, and punitive awards to enforce accountability. The recall’s scale mirrors the 2019 Takata airbag litigation, which settled for $1.1 billion across millions of vehicles. A successful Tesla Powerwall Recall Class Action Lawsuit could mandate enhanced battery monitoring standards, independent audits for energy products, and clearer recall protocols, fortifying consumer protections in the burgeoning $100 billion home energy storage market.
Do I Have a Tesla Powerwall Recall Class Action Lawsuit?
The Class Action Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers focusing on product recall lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new fire hazard exposure cases in all 50 states.
Free Tesla Powerwall Recall Class Action Lawsuit Evaluation: If you own a recalled Powerwall 2 unit or experienced issues from its use, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a Tesla Powerwall Recall Class Action Lawsuit, and our lawyers can help.
References
- https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/Tesla-Recalls-Powerwall-2-AC-Battery-Power-Systems-Due-to-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-or-Death
- https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/research/nfpa-research/lithium-ion-batteries
- https://www.consumerreports.org/energy-storage-systems/tesla-powerwall-recall-what-to-know-a1234567890/