The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched an investigation into the safety of Tesla’s Autopilot driver assistance system after a software update caused accidents on vehicles equipped with the system. The agency announced the start of the investigation on Friday, expressing concerns about the potential risks associated with the Autopilot system.
The investigation revealed that there were at least 13 accidents involving deaths or serious injuries linked to abuse of the system since August 2021. Consumer Reports also highlighted safety issues with Tesla’s driver assistance system after testing the software update.
Tesla made software updates to address some of the agency’s concerns, but the NHTSA remains cautious. The repair recall investigation covers various Tesla models equipped with a driver assistance system, including the Cybertruck, manufactured between 2012 and 2024.
The company called in over two million vehicles for maintenance in December, emphasizing the importance of driver attention to safety when using the driving assistant. The investigation continues, and Tesla is committed to addressing any issues related to its Autopilot system and ensuring that its drivers are safe on the road.
Tesla has faced criticism from regulators before for its autonomous driving technology, and this latest investigation could lead to further scrutiny or even fines if it is found that Tesla did not do enough to ensure the safety of its customers.
According to sources close to NHTSA, investigators have been closely examining data from accidents involving Autopilot-equipped vehicles and analyzing how they occurred. They are looking for patterns and trends in order to determine whether Tesla can make changes that will prevent future accidents.
As a result of this investigation, many people are questioning whether Tesla’s Autopilot name is misleading drivers into over-relying on automation instead of staying attentive behind the wheel.
Despite these concerns, Tesla continues to promote its self-driving technology as a safer alternative to human drivers. However, it remains unclear whether this technology will be able to live up to these claims in reality.
Overall, this investigation highlights once again that there is still much work to be done in terms of ensuring that self-driving cars are safe for everyone on the road. While Tesla may have taken steps to address some of NHTSA’s concerns about their Autopilot system, it remains uncertain whether these measures will be enough