Tesla’s Autopilot Recall: Adds New Autopilot Suspension, Resets FSD Beta Strikes, Adds New Alerts [Photo]
Tesla's response to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) directive has led to an update in their Autopilot system, impacting over 2 million vehicles. This development follows a meticulous two-year investigation by the NHTSA into incidents where Tesla vehicles, using the Autopilot feature, collided with stationary emergency vehicles.
The timing of the report is suspicious. It comes just days after the Washington Post published a scathing article against Autopilot. The story was so biased that Tesla took the rare step of responding directly to it.
Background of the NHTSA Investigation
The NHTSA's exhaustive probe centered on whether Tesla's safeguards within the Autopilot system were sufficient in preventing misuse. The inquiry, which scrutinized Tesla’s response to a series of collisions, concluded recently, leading to a recall notice without placing direct blame on the Autopilot system itself. Instead, the focus was on the potential inadequacy of feature controls to prevent driver misuse.
Tesla’s Response and Recall Details
Tesla initiated a voluntary safety recall affecting approximately 2,031,220 vehicles. All of the changes will be handled through an over-the-air update; this is not a physical recall and requires no hardware changes.
This recall includes specific Model S vehicles produced between October 5, 2012, and December 7, 2023, Model X vehicles from September 15, 2015, Model 3 vehicles from July 15, 2017, and Model Y vehicles from January 9, 2020. The recall involves the Autosteer feature of Tesla’s Autopilot system and addresses issues particularly relevant when misused by drivers who fail to maintain continuous and sustained responsibility for vehicle operation.
Addressing the Recall in Software Update 2023.44.30
The software update, version 2023.44.30 is scheduled to roll out shortly and is expected to introduce several key features. This update is also expected to include Tesla’s much anticipated Holiday Update, which will include various new features, such as Alternate Routes While Driving, Automatic Calls to 911, High Fidelity Park Assist, and more. According to NHTSA, these are the Autopilot changes:
Additional Controls and Alerts: Enhanced controls and alerts for Autosteer engagement are introduced to ensure drivers maintain continuous driving responsibility.
Visual Alert Prominence: Visual alerts on the user interface are made more prominent, improving driver awareness and compliance. These new improved alerts can be seen in the photo above, which moves Autopilot alerts to the top of the screen instead of toward the bottom.
Simplified Autosteer Engagement: Known as 'Single-Pull Autosteer', this feature was made available in a previous update, although it’s not available to everyone yet. The goal is to make the engagement and disengagement of Autosteer more intuitive.
Enhanced Checks and Limiting Use: The update includes additional checks during Autosteer engagement, especially when driving outside controlled access highways and approaching traffic controls. It’s unclear whether Tesla will limit the use of Autopilot on certain road types, although the recall document makes it sound like that may be a possibility here. An owner we’ve talked to who has the NHTSA changes, specifically said that Autosteer was not available at times, although it’s not clear whether these are additional limitations or whether Autopilot just didn’t have enough information to activate. FSD appears to be unaffected and the recall document by NTSHA does not refer to Tesla’s FSD specifically.
Suspension for Autopilot: In a move to enforce responsible use, drivers who repeatedly fail to adhere to continuous driving responsibility may face temporary suspension from using the Autosteer feature. In some images we’ve received, it appears that Tesla will apply its suspension system that’s used on FSD Beta to regular Autosteer as well.
This update reflects Tesla's dedication to addressing safety concerns while pushing the boundaries of autonomous driving technology. By collaborating with the NHTSA and proactively enhancing the Autopilot system, Tesla continues to set standards in the automotive industry. As autonomous technology evolves, Tesla's approach is a benchmark for integrating advanced safety features and balancing innovation and driver responsibility.
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