Tesla is recalling over 2 million vehicles in the US due to concerns about the Autopilot feature. This massive recall, announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), covers Tesla cars from model years 2012-2023.
The recall comes after a two-year investigation by the NHTSA into 11 incidents involving Teslas using Autopilot and stationary first-responder vehicles. The investigation identified potential issues with Autopilot, including:
- False sense of security: Autopilot may give drivers a false sense of security and lead to complacency, reducing their attention to the road.
- Misuse potential: Drivers may easily misuse Autopilot in dangerous situations where the technology may not be able to safely navigate the road.
To address these concerns, Tesla will release an over-the-air software update for all affected vehicles. This update will:
- Increase warnings when drivers are not paying attention to the road while using Autopilot.
- Limit the use of Autosteer if a driver repeatedly fails to respond to prompts to regain control of the vehicle.
The NHTSA believes this software update will significantly improve the safety of Tesla vehicles equipped with Autopilot. Tesla owners are expected to receive the update starting Tuesday.
Reference- Reuters, NHTSA website, Tesla Twitter Handle, CBS, CNN