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Tesla GTW_w174

12V battery must be replaced - Schedule service Software will not update until battery is replaced

Common search variants: GTWw174 · GTW-w174 · GTW w174 · Search ignores case and common separators.

DriveNot yet established by verified evidence.
ChargeNot yet established by verified evidence.
ServiceTesla service is recommended for replacement of the degraded low-voltage battery.
Confidence95%

Quick answer

Tesla alert GTW_w174 means the low-voltage (12V) battery is showing degraded performance and needs replacement. Tesla states that vehicle software updates will not complete until the battery is replaced.

This page separates verified manufacturer/regulator evidence from supporting material. Unsupported causes, repairs or safety conclusions are not guessed.

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1. What does GTW_w174 mean?

Tesla alert GTW_w174 means the low-voltage (12V) battery is showing degraded performance and needs replacement. Tesla states that vehicle software updates will not complete until the battery is replaced.

2. Technical explanation

Official Tesla owner-manual material filed with NHTSA describes GTW_w174 as: “12V battery must be replaced - Schedule service Software will not update until battery is replaced.” The verified explanation is that the low-voltage battery is showing degraded performance and needs replacement. This alert concerns the vehicle’s low-voltage electrical battery, not a verified finding about the high-voltage traction battery.

3. What system is affected?

Low-voltage (12V) battery / vehicle low-voltage electrical system.

4. How serious is this code?

Unknown. The supplied diagnostic record does not establish a severity rating.

5. Symptoms you may notice

  • Displayed alert: “12V battery must be replaced - Schedule service Software will not update until battery is replaced.”
  • Vehicle software updates will not complete until the low-voltage battery is replaced.

6. Possible causes

  • Verified cause/condition: the low-voltage battery is showing degraded performance and needs replacement.
  • Other underlying causes are not yet established by verified evidence.

7. Can I still drive the vehicle?

Not yet established by verified evidence.

8. Can I charge the vehicle?

Not yet established by verified evidence.

9. What you can safely do

  • Schedule Tesla service for low-voltage battery replacement, as recommended in the verified Tesla material.
  • Check the vehicle for other alerts specific to conditions affecting its electrical system.
  • Do not attempt high-voltage-system repair procedures.

10. Step-by-step troubleshooting

  1. Review any additional electrical-system alerts shown by the vehicle; the verified material directs owners to check other alerts for more information and recommended actions.
  2. The verified evidence does not establish owner-performed diagnostic or battery-replacement steps.

11. When to contact service

Tesla service is recommended for replacement of the degraded low-voltage battery.

12. What the service center may check

  • Confirm the GTW_w174 alert and assess the condition of the low-voltage battery.
  • Review other vehicle alerts related to the electrical system.
  • Verify that software updates can complete after the low-voltage battery has been replaced.

13. Possible repair or resolution

  • Replace the low-voltage battery. Tesla’s verified owner-manual material states that software updates will not complete until this battery is replaced.

14. Affected vehicles

15. Related TSBs / service bulletins

  • NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10253660: Index381, published March 26, 2024: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2024/MC-10253660-9999.pdf
  • NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10250483: ManualC, published December 1, 2023: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10250483-9999.pdf
  • NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10240951: Owner's Manual, published June 9, 2023: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10240951-9999.pdf

16. Recall information

  • Not yet established by verified evidence.

17. Official manufacturer information

Verified NHTSA-filed Tesla owner-manual communications state that GTW_w174 indicates degraded low-voltage battery performance, recommends low-voltage battery replacement, and states that software updates will not complete until replacement. Verified applicability: US-market Tesla Model 3 (2017–2023), Model S (2012–2023), and Model X (2016–2023).

19. Frequently asked questions

What does Tesla GTW_w174 mean?

It means the low-voltage battery is showing degraded performance and needs to be replaced.

Why will my Tesla software update not complete?

For this alert, Tesla states that vehicle software updates will not complete until the low-voltage battery is replaced.

What should I do when GTW_w174 appears?

Tesla’s verified material recommends having the low-voltage battery replaced and checking for other electrical-system alerts.

Can I drive or charge with GTW_w174?

Not yet established by verified evidence.

20. Sources & verification

Verified
Show all 24 verified sources
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