In 2021, the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) launched an inquiry into 11 incidents where a Tesla engaging Autopilot was involved in a collision. The investigation findings demonstrated to the NHTSA that if a driver “misuses” Autopilot’s autosteer system, there is an elevated risk of an accident. While Tesla did not agree with the NHTSA’s conclusion, it opted to voluntarily issue the recall.
Tesla
Notably, the recall involves a straightforward software update, which will introduce “controls and alerts” to deter drivers from misusing the autosteer feature. This update will be performed over the air, eliminating the need for major repairs or for customers to visit service centers. However, the update is mandatory for all 2,031,220 S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y vehicles manufactured during the specified dates. It is essential to highlight that all models produced after December 7, 2023, will come pre-installed with the updated software.
Tesla’s Autopilot has been the subject of intense scrutiny for years, criticized for its relaxed stance on driver attentiveness and its failure to identify and avoid obstacles, traffic signs, pedestrians, and even approaching trains. While there is a distinction between Tesla’s standard Autopilot and its “Full Self-Driving Capability,” the NHTSA asserts that neither qualifies as a truly autonomous driving system. Even Tesla acknowledges that “Enhanced Autopilot and Full Self-Driving Capability are designed for use with a fully alert driver who maintains contact with the wheel and is ready to assume control at any moment. Although these features are set to evolve and improve over time, the current functionalities do not render the vehicle autonomous.”
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