San Carlos, Calif.-based Tesla Motors issued a recall notice late yesterday for 345 of its 500 Roadsters in the field because of a flaw that could cause the vehicles to crash.

No injuries have been reported from the defect in the vehicle’s hub, and Tesla has said it will immediately deploy technicians to customers’ homes and offices to make the simple fix.

But advanced automotive technology analyst Philip Gott, director of automotive consulting for IHS Global Insight , said Tesla is taking what could have otherwise been a disaster for the budding industry and turned it into something positive.

“Tesla is almost the poster child for the battery and electric vehicle movement,” Gott told the Cleantech Group. “These things happen, and the fact that Tesla is responding to it in an exceedingly professional manner can only speak good for the industry as a whole. In fact, if Ford and Chrysler had been this responsive to defects in the ‘70s, they wouldn’t be in the position they are in now.”

Tesla is taking some flak for the recall, which follows last year’s transmission problems that delayed the production of the $109,000 Roadster (see Tesla’s new convertible ). Tesla has emphasized the current recall has nothing to do with the electric drivetrain.

Tesla’s problem lies in the vehicle’s chassis, which is produced by contract manufacturer Lotus of the UK. Lotus has also issued a recall on some of its Elise and Exige vehicles because of the same problem in the British factory: The bolts were not tightened on the vehicle’s inner hub. A loose hub could deteriorate the ability to handle the vehicle, which could cause the driver to crash, according to the recall notice.

“The recall’s really got nothing to with it being an advanced vehicle," Gott said.

In addition to its technicians tightening the loose bolt, Tesla plans to throw in a free car inspection and a software upgrade. Spokeswoman Rachel Konrad said those upgrades typically happen once a year to improve the software that controls charging and performance of the electric vehicle.

Tesla has sold almost 500 Roadsters in the U.S., with plans to deliver vehicles to the EU starting in late June, she told the Cleantech Group today. The vehicles affected by the recall were manufactured between March 2008 and April 22, 2009.

Lotus assembles the car before shipping it to California, where Tesla installs the batteries and drivetrain. Tesla has licensed the motor technology of AC Propulsion to integrate the charging electronics into the inverter (see Zero emission car makers get tax break in California ).

Konrad pointed out that vehicle recalls are quite common; in fact 10 million vehicles were recalled in 2006 alone, providing many case studies for Tesla to examine in order to decide how to proceed, she said.

“One we’ve studied is Lexus’ landmark 1989 recall shortly after the brand debuted in the United States. Lexus asked people to bring their cars into dealerships but then gave them loaners and tried to make the process as convenient as possible–and in the long run it actually enhanced the brand’s reputation,” she said. “Taking a page from the Lexus playbook, we are striving to exceed owners’ expectations, not only with the excellence of our Roadster but with our respect for the ownership experience and our customers’ time.”

There are also examples of what not to do, she said. Gott agreed, saying Tesla’s reaction was critical because of the prominence the company has gained thanks to German automaker Daimler , which has taken an equity stake in the company and signed a deal to use Tesla’s battery pack in its electric Smart cars (see Daimler takes 10-percent stake in Tesla Motors and Berlin to charge up Smart cars ).

“With a company like Tesla, because they’ve gained visibility, if they don’t handle things properly, it could be a disaster,” Gott said. “The industry is at an embryonic stage, and it could go either way.”

Certainly, it’s not the first time Tesla has had to overcome bad news. CEO Elon Musk was caught in March sending out fake e-mails to employees in order to find those leaking information to the press (see C-levels falling ). The hunt began when an employee leaked that the company had just $9 million in the bank last fall. The company has since secured $40 million in convertible debt financing and expects to become profitable this year.

Tesla is awaiting word on a $350 million loan application to the Department of Energy that would allow the electric carmaker to build the Model S sedan, which is expected to cost $57,400. Tesla scrapped plans to build the factory on undeveloped land in San Jose because it would not qualify for the DOE funds (see Tesla CEO says carmaker is bouncing back and Tesla to build factory, new HQ in San Jose ).

Article from cleantech 。