Tesla is recalling approximately 2 mln vehicles in the USA and Canada due to a flaw in its controversial Autopilot feature. The recall follows a two-year investigation by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) into 956 crashes involving the use of the Autopilot feature.
All units of the Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y equipped with the Autosteer feature, available in Tesla models since 2012, are affected by the recall. The Autosteer feature assists in maintaining the correct lane by working alongside adaptive cruise control, matching the speed of surrounding vehicles. However, drivers are still required to keep their hands on the steering wheel at all times.
Tesla explained the reason behind the recall, stating, “In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature’s controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.”
To address the issue, Tesla will deploy a fix for the affected vehicles through an over-the-air (OTA) software update in phases. The update aims to enhance visual alerts on the user interface, simplify engagement and disengagement of Autosteer, conduct additional checks when using Autosteer, and suspend the system if driver distraction is detected.
Tesla’s Level 2 Autopilot feature is designed to assist with steering, acceleration, and braking. Despite its name, drivers are required to keep their hands on the steering wheel and remain attentive to the road. According to the NHTSA’s investigation, the system does not adequately prompt a distracted driver, leading to potential misuse.
While Tesla disagreed with the NHTSA’s analysis, it agreed to introduce new features to address the concerns. Tesla defended the Autopilot feature’s safety, stating, “Safety metrics are emphatically stronger when Autopilot is engaged than when not engaged.” The company provided statistics, indicating a lower crash rate when Autopilot was in use compared to when it was not.
Critics argue that Tesla’s naming of the “Autopilot” feature may mislead users about its capabilities. The NHTSA investigation highlighted previous accidents suggesting that these features do not align with the name Autopilot.
This recall is not the first for Tesla’s Autopilot feature, as earlier in the year, nearly 350,000 vehicles were recalled due to Autopilot engaging in behavior that violated traffic laws.