At the request of federal regulators, Tesla is expected to roll out an update that will limit the operation of its most controversial driver assistance system, labeled Full Self-Driving. Beta, because it poses an “unreasonable risk to the safety of a motor vehicle.”
The rememberdetailed by NHTSA on Thursday, affecting 362,758 vehicles, including Model S and Model X 2016-2023, Model 3 2017-2023 and Model Y 2020-2023, equipped with the Full Self-Driving upgrade ( FSD Beta) by Tesla, currently a $15,000 option.
The issue concerns the behavior of vehicles under that option and specifically, as NHTSA puts it, what is known as FSD Beta or Autosteer on City Street.
NHTSA notes: “The FSD Beta system may allow vehicles to act unsafely around intersections, such as going straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering an intersection with stop sign without stopping or go straight into the intersection when the yellow traffic light is steady without caution.”
The agency also says that the system may not respond adequately to changes in posted speed limits or to a driver’s speed adjustment.
Among the many items Tesla will need to adjust in the software update include the system’s yellow light behavior, its dwell time, its operating speed (based on both signs and drivers), and compliance with applicable laws. lane rules.
Tesla Lineup 2022 (Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.)
“Analysis and testing conducted as part of NHTSA Technical Analysis (EA22-002) shows that in certain situations Tesla Autosteer on City Streets (Full Self-Driving (FSD) ) Beta), which results in an unreasonable risk to the safety of motor vehicles due to failure to fully comply with traffic safety laws,” NHTSA said in a statement sent to Green Car Reports. “—As required by law and after discussions with NHTSA, Tesla has initiated a recall to correct those defects.”
As the federal agency notes, this recall does not address all elements of its investigation, which began as an investigation and moved into technical analysis in June 2022.
“Accordingly, NHTSA’s investigation into Tesla’s Autopilot and related vehicle systems remains open and operational,” the agency said.
The work done at NHTSA’s Vehicle Research and Test Center is said to be crucial for assessing how the system performs in certain situations.
The remedy will be delivered over-the-air, but to comply with the recall, Tesla will notify owners in writing by April 15, 2023. Owners are instructed to call Tesla customer service. at 877-798-3752.
![Tesla Model 3 dashboard in Autopilot test with IIHS [CREDIT: IIHS]](https://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/tesla-model-s-dashboard-in-autopilot-testing-with-iihs-credit-iihs_100665437_l.jpg "Tesla Model 3 dashboard in Autopilot test with IIHS [CREDIT: IIHS]")
Tesla Model 3 dashboard in Autopilot test with IIHS [CREDIT: IIHS]
In 2021, the head of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) called Tesla’s use of the Fully Self-Driving Vehicle brand a “deceitful and irresponsible,” and last year longtime consumer advocate Ralph Nader urges NHTSA to order Completely remove the self-driving feature from Tesla cars. Tesla also has to face supervision from DOJ and SEC about its self-driving claims.
That hasn’t stopped Tesla from raising the price of Fully Self-Driving Cars to $15,000 and expanding its so-called beta features. CEO Elon Musk has previously suggested that the system is a direct link to turns its many vehicles into robotaxis that becomes a revenue generator for the owner.
