Lucid is recalling 27,185 Air electric sedans from the 2022 through 2026 model years because a software issue affecting the exterior lighting system could cause wiring circuits to overheat and potentially start a fire.
According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the problem involves the low-voltage circuits that power the Lucid Air’s exterior lights. The circuits use an electronic fuse, or eFuse, to provide overcurrent protection.
However, the existing software may allow too much current to flow through the lighting circuits. If the circuits operate at excessive amperage, they can overheat, potentially producing smoke or, in more serious cases, causing a fire.
The issue could also affect the operation of the Air’s headlights or taillights, creating an additional safety concern if the lights stop working properly.
Lucid’s investigation found that the software controlling the low-voltage exterior lighting circuits did not provide sufficient overcurrent protection under certain conditions.
The updated software reduces the eFuse amperage limit and disables a feature that could previously allow a faulted circuit to become energized again during the same key cycle.
That change is designed to prevent excessive current from reaching the affected wiring and reduce the possibility of overheating.
The good news for Air owners is that the recall can be addressed with a software update. Lucid has already released the necessary update over the air, meaning most affected vehicles can be repaired without visiting a service center.
The recall is particularly significant because Lucid has identified several incidents potentially connected to the lighting circuit problem.
At the time the recall was filed, the automaker said it was aware of three fires believed to be related to overheating in the affected circuits. Lucid had also received four reports of smoke.
In addition, the company identified 33 warranty reports involving damaged center high-mounted stop lamp (CHMSL) wiring harnesses that could potentially be related to the same issue.
While the number of affected vehicles is large, the available information indicates that the problem is associated with a specific electrical circuit and can be addressed through the software update.
Lucid is urging owners of affected vehicles that have not yet received software version 2.10.0 or later to take precautions until the update is installed.
Those vehicles should be parked outside and away from other vehicles and buildings, according to the recall information.
Lucid plans to notify owners who have not updated their vehicles by October 16, providing instructions for installing the latest software. Owners who need help completing the update will be directed to contact Lucid for assistance.
The recall population has already been substantially addressed through over-the-air updates. Of the 27,185 vehicles included in the recall, 20,719 had already been updated to software version 2.10.0 or later when Lucid filed the recall.
That means the majority of affected Air sedans had already received the software designed to correct the problem.
