Tesla Model S, Model X, and More Recalled in US Over Autopilot Issue, More Than 20 Lakh Units Impacted

Elon Musk-owned Tesla has issued a recall of more than 20 lakh vehicles produced between October 5, 2012 and December 7, 2023. The largest-ever recall is due to defects with the brand's Autopilot Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) placed in the Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y. This comes after the US government launched an investigation, dating back to 2021, into Tesla's Autopilot technology following a series of accidents involving Tesla vehicles hitting parked emergency vehicles. The formal investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) came on the back of 11 crashes, leading to a causality.   

Tesla's Largest-Ever Recall: NHTSA Safety Recall Report

In its Safety Recall Report, the US auto safety regulator cited safety concerns and reportedly said that Tesla's Autopilot could provide "inadequate driver engagement" resulting in "foreseeable misuse of the system". For those not aware, Autopilot is a level-2 advanced driver assistance functionality that can support the car's steering and speed; however, the human driver is required to retain primary responsibility even when the system is on.  

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NHTSA further noted that there may be an increased risk of a crash in circumstances when Autopilot is engaged but drivers do not maintain "continuous driving responsibility' and are not prepared to take control or fail to act.

Tesla's Largest-Ever Recall: What the EV Firm Says?

In response, Tesla said in its recall filing that Autopilot's software system controls "may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse" in certain cases. However, the EV maker has launched a voluntary recall campaign to inspect the issue, although it did not concur with the regulator's conclusion about Autopilot. Moreover, it will also provide a software update, where required, free of charge.

The software update, version 2023.44.30, will include additional controls, thereby encouraging the driver to take control of the wheel. Interestingly, this update will discourage the driver from using Autopilot in case it finds someone repeatedly failing to take responsibility while the system is on. 

Tesla's Autopilot: Previous Investigation

In a report published in 2020, Tesla's Autopilot was blamed for a 2018 crash in California in which the driver died. The US National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) established that Tesla hadn't done enough to prevent the system's misuse, and subsequently recommended that the NHTSA require Tesla to have a better system to ensure the driver is paying attention while Autopilot is on. 

Since 2016, NHTSA has opened over three dozen special crash investigations where it was suspected that Tesla's Autopilot was in use. So far, more than 20 crash deaths have been reported. 

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Notably, the safety regulator's investigation will remain open for monitoring the software update's efficacy.