Tesla confirms battery module failure in Shanghai fire, promises OTA fix

The revised software brings changes to charging and thermal management.

Tesla has reportedly released the results of an internal investigation into a Model S fire in Shanghai, confirming that a battery module failed and ignited as the vehicle sat idle in a parking garage.

A viral video appeared to show gasses escaping from the battery before it burst into flames.

In a post on China's Weibo social media platform, Tesla said it had found no defect yet blamed the fire on a single battery module located at the front of the vehicle, according to Reuters.

Despite no defect declaration, the company is rolling out over-the-air software updates for the Model S and X. The revised software is said to make changes to charge and thermal-management settings.

The company has previously argued that its vehicles are far less likely to catch fire than internal-combustion cars.