After a two-year investigation by federal safety regulators focused on the autopilot function, Tesla is conducting its largest-ever recall in the United States, involving more than two million vehicles. The recall comes after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that defects with the autopilot system pose a safety hazard. In its recall filing, Tesla stated that the autopilot software system controls “may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse.” The NHTSA emphasized the importance of deploying automated technology responsibly and stated that the recall exemplifies the prioritization of safety in automated systems.
This decision, representing the largest-ever recall for Tesla, is due to ongoing safety concerns associated with the development of autonomous vehicles in the US. Tesla has committed to implementing new safeguards and rectifying current defects. The recall encompasses models Y, S, 3, and X manufactured between October 5, 2012, and December 7, 2023.
Acting NHTSA Administrator Ann Carlson, speaking before the US House of Representatives, expressed satisfaction with Tesla’s agreement to conduct the recall. Carlson explained that the NHTSA initiated an investigation into Tesla’s autopilot function in August 2021 following reports of several fatal crashes involving the use of autopilot. The agency discovered that drivers are not always attentive when the system is active.
According to documents released by the NHTSA, the current autopilot design can lead to foreseeable misuse of the system. The planned changes aim to further incentivize drivers to adhere to their continuous driving responsibility. However, some experts, including Phil Koopman, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, have expressed disappointment over the compromise. Koopman highlighted the inadequacy of hardware for driver monitoring in older Tesla models.
The setbacks faced by driverless cars in recent months have raised concerns about safety. In October, California suspended testing by the self-driving car firm Cruise due to safety concerns raised by California’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).