The United States doesn’t seem very certain about Tesla’s autonomous driving system. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States, Tesla’s well-known autopilot doesn’t ensure that drivers remain attentive at the wheel. As a result, authorities are urging the company to review over two million vehicles.
The models affected by these system driving flaws encompass, almost entirely, those sold in the United States. These include the Model X, Model S, Model Y, and Model 3. Cars manufactured between October 5, 2021, and December 7, 2023, are also not exempt.
The lack of safety in the autopilot system was confirmed after a two-plus-year investigation by the NHTSA. Since 2016, authorities have initiated over 40 investigations into accidents involving Tesla cars, with up to 19 recorded fatalities. In many of these incidents, the autopilot’s assistance played a decisive role.
According to the notification issued by the NHTSA, when the Autosteer automatic steering system is activated and the driver doesn’t maintain control of the vehicle, “it may increase the risk of collision.”
The autopilot has been one of Tesla vehicles’ most eye-catching features. To operate, cars are equipped with eight cameras capable of providing a 360-degree panoramic view, reaching distances of up to 250 meters. As stated on the official website, the autopilot allows the car to “steer, accelerate, and brake automatically within a lane.”
Fortunately, Tesla owners won’t need to take their vehicles anywhere for fixes. Documents released by the NHTSA state that Tesla itself will issue a software update to address the Autopilot issues.
