- The NHTSA is taking a look at the protection of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system
- 4 crashes have been documented while Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system was engaged, one was fatal
- Tesla CEO Elon Musk doubled down on self-driving cars with the Cybercab
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into the Tesla Full Self-Driving driver-assistance system following 4 documented crashes, including one fatal 2023 crash, reports Reuters.
The investigation, which is step one before the NHTSA can demand a recall on safety grounds, covers 2016-2024 Tesla Model S and Model X electric cars with the optional system, in addition to 2017-2024 Tesla Model 3, 2020-2024 Tesla Model Y, and 2023-2024 Tesla Cybertruck pickups—essentially every vehicle that might be optioned with Full Self-Driving.
The NHTSA said it opened the investigation after 4 crashes where the system was engaged during reduced-visibility conditions similar to sun glare, fog, or airborne dust. This features a November 2023 crash during which a pedestrian was killed in Rimrock, Arizona, after being struck by a 2021 Tesla Model Y, in response to the agency. One other crash under investigation involved a reported injury.
Tesla Model 3 dashboard in Autopilot testing with IIHS [CREDIT: IIHS]
The investigation will include a review of Full Self-Driving’s ability to “detect and respond appropriately to reduced roadway visibility conditions.” The NHTSA has also asked Tesla if every other similar crashes have occurred under reduced roadway visibility and whether the automaker has made any updates that will affect Full Self-Driving in such conditions, in response to Reuters.
Despite its name, Tesla’s website acknowledges that Full Self-Driving still requires lively driver supervision and doesn’t make cars truly autonomous. There are no self-driving cars currently available for consumers to purchase.
2024 Tesla Model Y. – Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.
In 2023, the NHTSA requested that Tesla issue a recall to limit the behavior of Full Self-Driving, saying the system posed “an unreasonable risk to motorized vehicle safety.” Later that yr, Tesla disclosed that the U.S. Justice Department had issued subpoenas related to the Full Self-Driving and Autopilot systems. Tesla continues to supply Full Self-Driving as an $8,000 option, down from a high of $15,000 in 2022.
The investigation comes as Tesla CEO Elon Musk doubles down on autonomous driving. Earlier this month, Musk staged a showy reveal of an autonomous $30,000 two-seat Cybercab he said would arrive before 2027, in addition to a 20-seat autonomous shuttle concept dubbed Robovan.
This Article First Appeared At www.greencarreports.com
