Tesla is conducting the largest-ever recall of over 2 million vehicles in the U.S. to enhance safety measures in its Autopilot advanced driver-assistance system. The move comes after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) expressed concerns about the system’s ability to prevent driver misuse, potentially increasing the risk of accidents. The recall aims to ensure better driver attention while using Autopilot.
Acting NHTSA Administrator Ann Carlson commended Tesla for agreeing to the recall, citing instances where drivers weren’t sufficiently attentive when the system was active. The safety probe, initiated in August 2021, investigated fatal crashes related to Autopilot use, leading to the decision for this extensive recall.
Transport Canada separately announced a recall of 193,000 Tesla vehicles to address the Autopilot issue, while it remains uncertain if China will follow suit. Tesla’s Autopilot is designed to assist with steering, acceleration, and braking, but the recall addresses concerns about inadequate controls and alerts to prevent misuse.
Despite not fully agreeing with NHTSA’s analysis, Tesla plans to address the issue with an over-the-air software update. The update will introduce additional controls and alerts to encourage drivers to maintain continuous attention when Autosteer is engaged.
The recall covers approximately 2.03 million Model S, X, 3, and Y vehicles in the U.S. dating back to 2012. The update includes visual alert enhancements, simplified Autosteer engagement, and additional checks to ensure safe use.
