Tesla is issuing a recall for more than 2 million vehicles across its model range to address a faulty system designed to ensure driver attention while using Autopilot. U.S. safety regulators revealed documents on Wednesday outlining the company’s plan to send a software update to rectify the identified problems.
The recall follows a two-year investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) into a series of accidents occurring while using Tesla’s partially automated driving system, Autopilot, some of which were fatal. The NHTSA investigation concluded that Autopilot’s method of ensuring driver attentiveness could be insufficient, leading to potential misuse of the system.
The recall spans nearly all Tesla vehicles sold in the U.S., encompassing those produced between October 5, 2012, and December 7, 2023. The proposed software update introduces additional controls and alerts to prompt drivers to adhere to their continuous driving responsibility.
The update, initiated on Tuesday for certain affected vehicles, will be rolled out to the rest later. Among its features is a modification that restricts where Autosteer, a component of Autopilot, can be used. If the driver attempts to engage Autosteer under conditions not suitable for engagement, the system will alert the driver through visual and audible cues, preventing Autosteer from activating.
Autopilot includes features such as Autosteer and Traffic Aware Cruise Control, designed for limited-access freeways. The software update aims to refine the monitoring system and addresses concerns about its inadequacy in preventing driver misuse.
Safety advocates have long called for stronger regulations on driver monitoring systems, particularly those detecting whether a driver’s hands are on the steering wheel. Despite its name, Autopilot is a driver-assist system and cannot operate autonomously.
NHTSA has been actively investigating Tesla crashes involving automated systems since 2016, with at least 17 fatalities in such incidents. The regulatory body remains engaged with Tesla, and the investigation is ongoing to monitor the efficacy of Tesla’s remedies and ensure the highest level of safety.
While Tesla maintains that safety is enhanced when Autopilot is engaged, the company faces increased scrutiny from regulators, with NHTSA adopting a more assertive approach in addressing safety issues related to Tesla vehicles in recent times.
