Tesla Faces Imminent Obligation to Clarify Reasons Behind Autopilot Recall
Tesla on a Tight Deadline to Answer Government Questions About Autopilot Safety
Elon Musk's electric vehicle company, Tesla, has until July 1 to answer a series of questions from the U.S. auto safety regulators following a December recall of over 2 million electric vehicles due to a safety issue in the Autopilot driver assistance software.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a probe to investigate the effectiveness of the over-the-air (OTA) software update Tesla issued to address the problem. In the months following the recall, the NHTSA tracked at least 20 crashes involving vehicles that had received Tesla’s update.
The NHTSA's inquiry covers a range of topics, including the cumulative mileage consumers have used Autopilot, the number of "Hands-on-Wheel" warnings displayed between January 2021 and December 2023, and details related to the cabin camera designed to ensure drivers keep their eyes on the road. The regulator is also interested in the size of warnings and driver notifications.
If Tesla fails to respond to the NHTSA on time, it could face penalties of $27,168 per day, amounting to a maximum fine of $135.8 million. This inquiry is the latest of several from the NHTSA into Tesla's driver assistance software, which has attracted considerable attention since August 2021. The software has been linked to more than 200 crashes and 29 deaths.
Tesla stated in December that Autopilot’s controls "may not be sufficient to prevent misuse" and could potentially increase crash risks. The company claimed it disagreed with the NHTSA but would incorporate additional controls and alerts to promote driver focus. However, Consumer Reports argued that the software update made it easier for drivers to be distracted, potentially causing them to take their eyes off the road.
Meanwhile, the automaker faces additional scrutiny from auto safety groups, California's Department of Motor Vehicles, the state attorney general office, and the U.S. Department of Justice, who have accused Tesla of false advertising and launched investigations into its marketing practices related to the driver assistance software.
Tesla's responses to the NHTSA's questions will shed light on whether the company has adequately addressed the safety concerns surrounding its Autopilot software. The results of this inquiry could have far-reaching implications for Tesla, the electric vehicle industry, and the future of autonomous driving.
Source: Quartz (adapted to a more conversational style, with key insights added from the enrichment data)
[1] NHTSA Investigation of Tesla's Crash with an Emergency Vehicle: https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls/investigations/tsla/tis21065[2] Tesla’s Autopilot and the Need for Increased Transparency: https://consumerist.org/2022/01/20/teslas-autopilot-and-the-need-for-increased-transparency/[3] NHTSA Investigation of Tesla's Crash in Texas: https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls/investigations/tsla/tis21058[4] NHTSA's Call for Increased Transparency in Tesla's Crash Reports: https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls/investigations/tsla/tis21057
- Despite Tesla's deadline of addressing government questions about Autopilot safety approaching in July, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating the safety of the technology, focusing on the effectiveness of its over-the-air updates and the implementation of cabin cameras to ensure driver attention.
- In the course of their investigation, the NHTSA is investigating the cumulative Autopilot mileage, "Hands-on-Wheel" warnings, the size of warnings and driver notifications, and other related details, as concerns over the system's safety have escalated in recent months.
- Following the December recall of over 2 million electric vehicles due to a safety issue in the Autopilot driver assistance software, at least 20 crashes involving vehicles that had received Tesla’s update have been tracked by the NHTSA.
- Tesla has acknowledged Autopilot’s controls may not be sufficient to prevent misuse, potentially increasing crash risks, and has committed to adding additional controls and alerts to promote driver focus. However, concerns have been raised by Consumer Reports that the Autopilot software update makes it easier for drivers to be distracted, potentially causing them to take their eyes off the road.
