Tesla is under investigation by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) over concerns about accidents that occurred after a software update on its Autopilot driver assistance system in December. The agency launched the investigation following reports of safety flaws in Tesla’s driver assistance system, which has led to at least 13 accidents involving the feature.
Tesla responded to the investigation by calling in over two million vehicles for maintenance in the U.S., marking its largest repair call to date. The company has since made software updates to address some of the concerns raised by NHTSA, but there are still concerns about the safety of drivers using Autopilot.
Consumer Reports also found that Tesla’s software update did not sufficiently address safety concerns highlighted by NHTSA. The agency is now working to ensure that the name “Autopilot” does not mislead drivers into over-relying on automation, and that Tesla takes sufficient steps to address safety issues with its Autopilot system.
In response to these findings, Tesla has stated that it remains committed to ensuring the safety of its drivers and continues to work closely with regulators and industry groups to improve its technology and processes.
The NHTSA’s investigation is ongoing, and further details about its findings will be released in due course.
