Tesla Recalls All US Vehicles With Full Self-Driving Feature Due to Safety Risks
Tesla, the electric vehicle manufacturer, is recalling all 363,000 of its US cars with its “Full Self-Driving” (FSD) driver-assist software, citing safety risks that compromise the feature. FSD navigates local roads with acceleration, steering, and braking, but demands human intervention when the system encounters decision-making challenges.
Tesla is currently attempting to fix the feature with an over-the-air software update. It is an essential part of the company's business model, which is evident by the premiums drivers pay for the feature.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has criticized the FSD feature's inadequate adherence to traffic safety laws, indicating that FSD could breach traffic laws at certain intersections, which may cause safety issues for the vehicle and its passengers.
Tesla's Recall Notice
The recall notice indicates that the FSD feature can enable the vehicle to act unsafely around intersections.
For instance, it could travel straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, enter a stop-sign controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceed into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution.
Tesla's Response
Although Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, has not yet commented on the nature or scope of the issue, he tweeted that the use of the term "recall" to refer to an over-the-air software update is outdated and incorrect.
On the other hand, NHTSA emphasizes that any repair, including a software update, that corrects an unreasonable safety risk must initiate a recall. The federal agency added that it would continue to monitor the recall remedies' effectiveness.
Incidents and Safety Claims
Tesla has reported that 18 incidents between May 8, 2019, and September 12, 2022, might be linked to the problems described above. The NHTSA itself has also reported at least 273 crashes involving one of Tesla's driver-assist systems.
Despite the safety concerns, Tesla and Musk have repeatedly claimed that FSD is safer than human-driven cars. Last month, Musk informed investors that Tesla has collected data from roughly 100 million miles of drivers using FSD outside of highways, with the statistics demonstrating improvement in safety.
Autopilot and Investigations
The NHTSA is also examining Tesla's Autopilot, which combines lane-keeping assist with adaptive cruise control to maintain a car in a lane on a highway, rather than operating a vehicle without human oversight on a city street.
The agency said that this recall does not address its earlier investigations, and its inquiry into Tesla's Autopilot and associated vehicle systems remains open and active.
Deadlines
Musk has frequently predicted that Tesla will soon create a fully self-driving car. Still, the company has frequently missed its self-imposed deadlines, and Tesla owners have filed a class-action lawsuit over the projections and missed deadlines, which is still pending.
Tesla is recalling all its US vehicles with its FSD feature because of safety concerns, stating that it might compromise the feature's safety. FSD is an essential element of Tesla's business model, and its safety is critical for the company's success.
Although Musk has indicated that FSD is safer than human-driven cars, the recall notice states that FSD may violate traffic safety laws at certain intersections, which is a significant safety risk. The NHTSA is also investigating Tesla's Autopilot and associated vehicle systems, and its inquiry remains open and active.