Tesla is recalling over 2 million of its electric vehicles. Lately, such recalls are not considered unusual for manufacturers. In some cases, defects can be addressed through a simple software update without the need to visit a workshop.
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This is how Tesla is dealing with it. This year, the electric car pioneer had to recall its vehicles several times. For instance, there were issues with steering in cold weather. Now, full self-driving has also prompted a major recall in the U.S., this time concerning the autopilot.
Tesla is recalling over 2 million electric vehicles: details
The reason for the recall stems from an almost two-year investigation conducted by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The voluntary recall affects nearly all cars that Tesla has sold in the U.S. since 2012, totaling 2,031,220. These are electric vehicles from the Model S, 3, X, and Y series.
The recall is due to a potential issue with the Autosteer function, an advanced driver assistance feature at SAE Level 2. Under certain circumstances, driver control may be insufficient to prevent misuse. The update is intended to address this.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration initiated the investigation in August 2021 after several Tesla vehicles with activated autopilot were involved in accidents. The pattern was consistent.
The electric cars collided with emergency vehicles parked on the side of the road with their hazard lights on. U.S. authorities then wanted to know from Elon Musk's company how it ensures that drivers keep their hands on the wheel when autopilot is active.
For this, Tesla relies on steering wheel motion sensors. Newer models also have a camera in the cabin. These measures proved to be insufficient.
NHTSA wants Tesla to make improvements. The American company is complying with this in a new update. It will be implemented from mid-December and will bring the necessary additional controls and warnings. This update is already installed on new vehicles.
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Despite the recall, Tesla continues to innovate, with plans to release a new entry-level model in Grünheide. However, the recurring recalls have raised concerns about the reliability of Tesla's vehicles, particularly in relation to their autonomous driving features. For instance, the recent recall involves over 2 million electric vehicles due to potential issues with the Autosteer function, prompting improvements from Tesla in response to NHTSA's demands.
