Tesla Faces NHTSA Scrutiny Over Reported Steering Failures In Model Y and Model 3

NHTSA is investigating Tesla steering concerns

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has initiated a preliminary examination into approximately 280,000 recently produced Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. This significant figure underscores the scale of potential implications. This action follows alarming reports of steering loss and impaired power steering, raising considerable safety concerns.

This investigation has been sparked by 12 grievances lodged by owners of 2023 Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles.

A Trail of Steering Malfunctions

A troubling case reported in May featured a Model 3 driver whose car's steering inexplicably "felt stuck," causing the vehicle to lose control, skid off the road, and collide with a tree. This incident puts into sharp focus the gravity of the steering malfunctions under scrutiny.

Another disturbing account from Alpharetta, Georgia, detailed a predicament involving a barely two-week-old Tesla Model Y. As the owner exited a shopping center, they reported the steering wheel turning rigid unexpectedly, leading the vehicle to veer perilously close to the oncoming traffic lane.

Further complaints paint a similar picture of concern. A Tesla Model Y, less than a month old, displaying a "Steering Assist Reduced" error, was followed by an abrupt jerk of the wheel. The owner expressed feeling unsafe due to the suddenly disabled power steering, their unease compounded by Tesla's delayed service visit, attributed to a parts backlog.

In yet another unsettling incident, a driver from Honolulu reported their steering wheel randomly locking up within merely a week of purchasing their new Tesla. This malfunction recurred six times before the driver could get their car to a Tesla service center. Presently, the car remains there, awaiting a new steering rack/motor for an estimated three-week period.

Formal Investigation Triggered by Safety Concerns

Traditionally, an NHTSA investigation incites the manufacturer to thoroughly examine potential manufacturing or design defects, often culminating in a voluntary recall. The regulatory body compiles complaints from drivers via phone or online platforms and leverages this data alongside other relevant information to determine the necessity of an investigation.

These incidents have effectively marked the commencement of a formal investigation to assess whether the identified issues pose a considerable safety risk. If the NHTSA determines the presence of a substantial hazard, it may elevate the probe to an engineering analysis, potentially leading to a product recall.

While Tesla has not yet issued a response to the investigation announcement, it's worth noting the company's long-standing reputation for safety. Over the last decade, Tesla's safety accolades have been unmatched, earning them the title of manufacturing the safest vehicles globally. One can be certain that Tesla's dedicated team of engineers is tirelessly working round the clock, burning the "3 a.m. oil" to resolve these emerging issues and uphold the company's commendable safety record.

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Tesla Increases Price of Model S; Starts Offering Free Lifetime Supercharging

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For the first time in quite a while, Tesla has increased the price of one of its vehicle offerings. The Model S Long Range and the Model S Plaid have both received a hefty price increase. However, not all is bad - as Tesla also added a new benefit for buyers.

Price Increase

The price increase for the Model S is $5,000 - currently only in the United States. This price increase will likely impact other markets, including Canada, in the coming days.

The Model S Long Range now starts at $79,990, while the Model S Plaid now starts at $94,990. The Model S and Model X now have the same starting price. Interestingly, that’s also the same pricing point for the Cybertruck AWD and Cyberbeast Trimotor non-Foundation Series. 

The vehicle configuration does not appear to have changed, so the new pricing is simply an increase rather than the addition or removal of features. Tesla previously cut the price of the Model S and Model X by 15% in 2023, so this could simply be an adjustment to ensure that the vehicle pricing stays in line with inflation and other factors.

Free Lifetime Supercharging

For those on the fence about ordering a Model S, Tesla has brought back Free Lifetime Supercharging when you order a new Model S on or after December 13, 2024. As always, Free Lifetime Supercharging is restricted to the buyer’s Tesla account and to that specific vehicle. It cannot be transferred to another vehicle or another owner after ownership transfer. It’s worth noting, that it also doesn’t exclude the owner from receiving Supercharger idle fees or congestion fees. There is currently no end date for this promotion.

There are currently no changes to the Model X, neither a price increase nor the addition of Lifetime Superchargering. However, when Tesla makes changes to one of their premium vehicles, it usually affects the other one as well. So be on the lookout for potential changes to the Model X offering in the coming days.

We’ve seen Tesla value Lifetime Supercharging at $5,000, so this falls in line with the price increase we’re seeing. It’s possible that Tesla will begin to bring back Lifetime Supercharging as a perk for buying into their more premium Model S and Model X cars, or this could be another temporary promotion to get buyers who are on the fence to go ahead and make their purchase while this promotion lasts.

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Tesla’s Optimus Robot Learns to Walk Without Vision [VIDEO]

Optimus Falls - but catches itself!

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Tesla recently showed off a demo of Optimus, its humanoid robot, walking around in moderately challenging terrain—not on a flat surface but on dirt and slopes. These things can be difficult for a humanoid robot, especially during the training cycle.

Daily walks help clear your mind pic.twitter.com/dUsW58trS6

— Tesla Optimus (@Tesla_Optimus) December 9, 2024

A Look Behind the Curtain

Most interestingly, Milan Kovac, VP of Engineering for Optimus, clarified what it takes to get Optimus to this stage. Let’s break down what he said.

Optimus is Blind

Optimus is getting seriously good at walking now - it can keep its balance over uneven ground - even while walking blind. Tesla is currently using just the sensors, all powered by a neural net running on the embedded computer. 

Essentially, Tesla is building Optimus from the ground up, relying on as much additional data as possible while it trains vision. This is similar to how they train FSD on vehicles, using LiDAR rigs to validate the vision system’s accuracy. While Optimus doesn’t have LiDAR, it relies on all those other sensors on board, many of which will likely become simplified as vision takes over as the primary sensor.

Today, Optimus is walking blind, but it’s able to react almost instantly to changes in the terrain underneath it, even if it falls or slips. 

What’s Next?

Next up, Tesla AI will be adding vision to Optimus - helping complete the neural net. Remember, Optimus runs on the same overall AI stack as FSD - in fact, Optimus uses an FSD computer and an offshoot of the FSD stack for vision-based tasks.

Milan mentions they’re planning on adding vision to help the robot plan ahead and improve its walking gait. While the zombie shuffle is iconic and a little bit amusing, getting humanoid robots to walk like humans is actually difficult.

There’s plenty more, too - including better responsiveness to velocity and direction commands and learning to fall and stand back up. Falling while protecting yourself to minimize damage is something natural to humans - but not exactly natural to something like a robot. Training it to do so is essential in keeping the robot, the environment around it, and the people it is interacting with safe.

We’re excited to see what’s coming with Optimus next because it is already getting started in some fashion in Tesla’s factories.

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