Tesla Initiates Largest-Ever Recall of Over Two Million Vehicles in the U.S. to Enhance Autopilot Safety Features

Tesla has initiated a recall of more than two million vehicles in the United States, all equipped with the advanced Autopilot system. This move comes in response to heightened safety concerns raised by regulatory bodies. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been conducting an investigation into Tesla’s electric cars for over two years, assessing whether the Autopilot system adequately ensures that drivers remain attentive during operation

This extensive recall from Tesla reportedly encompasses nearly all its vehicles currently on U.S. roads, as reported by Reuters. The Autopilot system is designed to empower cars to autonomously handle steering, acceleration, and braking within residential areas. Additionally, the enhanced self-driving technology aids in highway lane changes, though it falls short of making the cars entirely autonomous.

Complimentary Software Update for Vehicle Owners
Tesla plans to offer owners a complimentary software update that introduces additional driver alerts and control features. The aim is to encourage heightened driver awareness when utilizing the Autopilot system. The updates will vary depending on the vehicle’s hardware, with potential enhancements such as more conspicuous visual alerts, streamlined driver interactions with the self-driving function, and increased checks on driver engagement in specific conditions.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched its investigation in August 2021 following more than ten collisions involving Tesla vehicles colliding with stationary emergency vehicles. Upon concluding the investigation, Tesla announced the recall based on the agency’s findings. It revealed that Tesla’s Autopilot system’s distinctive design leads to insufficient driver engagement, enabling the system to be used incorrectly or inappropriately.

The administration scrutinized 956 collision incidents initially thought to involve the use of the self-driving system, focusing its investigations on 322 collision incidents linked to Autopilot system usage.