According to the responsible US authority, around 360,000 vehicles would have to be recalled due to errors in Tesla’s autopilot. The software allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or cross intersections in an illegal manner. An update is now due.
The car manufacturer Tesla will carry out an online update for more than 360,000 cars with the test version of its advanced driver assistance software in the USA because the authorities see an increased risk of accidents. The electric car manufacturer announced the recall to the traffic safety authority NHTSA. NHTSA targeted the test version after several incidents and complaints. For example, at the Superbowl, a commercial portrayed Tesla’s “autopilot” as “a danger to the general public.”
Tesla boss Elon Musk raged on Twitter about the classification of the campaign: “The word recall for a software update via the Internet is anachronistic and simply wrong!” He wrote.
Tesla calls the advanced “Autopilot” version “Full Self-Driving” (completely self-driving), even if it does not turn the vehicle into an autonomous car, but according to the usual classification is still just a driver assistance system. The FSD software should, among other things, take traffic lights and traffic signs into account – and thus be able to navigate through the city.
US drivers can currently use FSD in a beta test version. In recent months, videos have repeatedly shown how the FSD software made errors in road traffic that could lead to accidents. According to the recall notice, FSD vehicles can ignore stop signs at intersections and drive straight out of turn lanes. In addition, the cars could drive on intersections with yellow traffic lights without due caution. Some of them also reacted inadequately to changed speed limits.
According to the note, Tesla was ordered by NHTSA to perform a formal recall in late January. The car manufacturer did not agree with the agency’s analysis, but decided to carry out a voluntary recall “out of caution”. A total of 362,758 vehicles built between 2016 and 2023 are affected, on which the FSD software is used or its installation is pending. The recall affects 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles.
