Tesla has issued a recall for over 362,000 vehicles due to issues with the Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. The announcement was made by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Thursday. It is important for Tesla owners and those considering purchasing a Tesla to understand the details of this recall and its implications.
What is the issue?
According to the NHTSA, the FSD software on these vehicles has the potential to cause crashes in certain driving scenarios. The specific issues identified include vehicles traveling through intersections while in turn-only lanes, not coming to a complete stop at stop sign-controlled intersections, driving into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without warning, and not adequately adjusting to posted speed limits or when a driver manually adjusts the vehicle’s speed.
Which vehicles are affected?
The recall affects certain Tesla models, including:
- 2016-2023 Model S
- 2016-2023 Model X
- 2017-2023 Model 3
- 2020-2023 Model Y
These vehicles are equipped with either the FSD beta software or are awaiting installation of the software.
How will the issue be resolved?
Tesla has announced that it will release an over-the-air software update to fix the issue free of charge. The company intends to address the identified problems in the coming weeks.
Elon Musk’s response
In response to the use of the word “recall,” Tesla CEO Elon Musk took to Twitter to express his disagreement. Musk stated that the term is “flat wrong” and anachronistic when referring to an over-the-air software update. However, he did not provide an alternative term to be used in this instance.
Additional investigations
It is worth noting that the US Department of Justice (DOJ) has requested documents from Tesla regarding its Autopilot and FSD software. The DOJ has also launched a criminal probe into Tesla in 2021, focusing on the Autopilot driver-assistance software, following several Tesla crashes, some of which resulted in fatalities.
Conclusion
Tesla’s recall of over 362,000 vehicles due to issues with the Full Self-Driving software raises concerns about the safety and reliability of autonomous driving technology. While Tesla plans to release an over-the-air software update to address the identified problems, the investigation by the US Department of Justice adds further scrutiny to the company’s practices. It is crucial for Tesla owners and prospective buyers to stay informed about these developments and any updates from Tesla regarding the recall and software fixes.
FAQs
Q: Will Tesla owners have to bring their vehicles to a service center for the software update?
A: No, Tesla will provide the software update over-the-air, eliminating the need for owners to visit a service center.
Q: If I have a Tesla with the FSD beta software, should I stop using the autonomous features until the update is released?
A: It is advisable to remain cautious and attentive while using the autonomous features until the software update is installed.
Q: Can Tesla’s FSD software provide full self-driving capabilities?
A: No, Tesla’s FSD software offers advanced driver aids but still requires the driver to remain attentive and ready to take control of the vehicle if necessary.
Q: How much does Tesla’s FSD software cost?
A: Tesla offers the FSD software as a $15,000 add-on on top of the vehicle’s base price.
[NHTSA]: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[DOJ]: Department of Justice