Tesla Recalls Over 2M Vehicles On U.S. Roads

Tesla is recalling over two million autos presently working on U.S. roads. According to CNN, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) knowledgeable the corporate that its recall could be publicized in a letter despatched on Tuesday, December 12.

RELATED: Honda Recalls Almost 250,000 Vehicles For Possible Engine Issues

What Prompted The Recall?

According to the NHTSA‘s letter, TESLA/MODEL 3/2017-2023, TESLA/MODEL S/2012-2023, TESLA/MODEL X/2016-2023, and TESLA/MODEL Y/2020-2023 are included in the company’s recall.

The letter explains that the recall was prompted by a difficulty with the autos’ autosteer function.

“In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature’s controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the… advanced driver-assistance feature,” the letter reads.

Furthermore, a crash might happen if the autosteer function fails whereas in use and a driver is unaware.

“In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash,” the letter explains.

More Details Regarding Prior Crashes

According to AP News, Tesla’s recall arrives two years after the NHTSA opened an investigation into Teslas that crashed whereas utilizing the autosteer function.

The outlet provides that some incidents have been deadly. A July 2022 crash led to the dying of Pablo Teodoro III, 57. AP News studies that Teodoro III handed away after his Tesla “that was using Autopilot ran underneath a crossing tractor-trailer.”

Additionally, the car was reportedly touring at 70 miles per hour, which was 25 miles per hour over the posted pace restrict.

Furthermore, the outlet notes that Teodoro’s car allegedly notified him to take management of the automotive. However, the car didn’t make use of its Automatic Emergency Braking function.

Teodoro was unable to cease the automotive earlier than influence.

“Our investigation also determined that the driver would have had adequate time and distance to avoid the crash had he been traveling at the speed limit,” Jeffrey Long, spokesman for the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, defined. “The full investigation concluded that the driver would have had more than adequate time to brake and even come to a complete stop.”

How Many Vehicles Are Affected By The Current Recall & What Happens Next?

According to the NHTSA‘s December 12 letter, the overall variety of autos affected by the recall is roughly 2,031,220. Tesla will launch an over-the-air (OTA) software program replace for “affected vehicles,” per the NHTSA”s Safety Recall Report.

AP News studies that this replace will “limit where Autosteer can be used.”

“If the driver attempts to engage Autosteer when conditions are not met for engagement, the feature will alert the driver it is unavailable through visual and audible alerts, and Autosteer will not engage,” the NHTSA”s Safety Recall Report reads.

Additionally, if the autosteer is employed and driving situations alter, drivers shall be given “visual and audible alerts… to intervene immediately.”

“Likewise, if the driver operates Autosteer in conditions where its functionality may be limited or has become deteriorated due to environmental or other circumstances, the feature may warn the driver with visual and audible alerts, restrict speed, and/or instruct the driver to intervene immediately.”

According to the NHTSA‘s letter, Tesla is predicted to mail notification letters to affected car house owners by February 10, 2024.

For extra data, Tesla house owners might contact customer support at 877-798-3752 with the recall quantity SB-23-00-008. Additionally, Tesla house owners can contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

NBC News studies that the NHTSA’s investigation into Tesla “remains open” presently.