Straight from the DOT recall listing site (which I can't link directly to because it is terrible), it says "Tesla Motors, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain mode

Straight from the DOT recall listing site (which I can't link directly to because it is terrible), it says "Tesla Motors, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain model year 2013 Model S vehicles equipped for, and delivered with, certain NEMA 14-50 (240 volt) Universal Mobile Connector (UMC) adapters. During charging, the adapter, cord, or wall outlet could overheat." PDF of letter from Tesla to DOT: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/UCM448668/RCDNN-14V006-9349.pdf http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/UCM4... PDF of response letter to Tesla: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/UCM448672/RCAK-14V006-6094.pdf http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/UCM4... Fundamentally, it seems like a safety issue that has to be addressed is just called a "recall", regardless of whether the car has to be taken in or not. That's why Musk said no cars were "physically recalled."