On February 16, 2023, TeslaTM voluntarily recalled nearly 363,000 cars with its Full Self-Driving system after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said the driver-assistance technology increased the risk of accidents.
The Full Self-Driving software “allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner,” the agency said.
The recall applies to all Tesla models — Model 3, Model S, Model X, and Model Y — produced between 2016-2023. The cars must be equipped with or pending installation of the Full Self-Driving software, which is currently in “beta” form.
Tesla Recall 2023 & Safety Issues
The NHTSA warned that Tesla’s Full Self-Driving technology “may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections.”
Specifically, the agency said the software may cause Tesla vehicles to:
- Exceed posted speed limits
- Fail to come to a complete stop at posted stop signs
- Proceed through intersections with a steady yellow light
- Travel through intersections while in a turning lane
Autopilot allows a Tesla to steer, accelerate, and brake within a lane, while the more advanced Full Self-Driving technology allows the vehicle to change lanes and obey traffic signals.
The NHTSA has been looking into the safety of Tesla’s driver-assist technology since 2016. To date, it has opened investigations into 41 car accidents, including 14 in which a total of 19 people were killed.
Tesla vehicles using Autopilot and Full Self-Driving Technology were involved in 273 reported accidents, five of which were fatal, over a nine-month period, according to the NHTSA.
The NHTSA said it plans to continue investigating Tesla’s Full Self-Driving and Autopilot systems.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the California Department of Motor Vehicles are also investigating the car maker. Those probes concern whether Tesla was truthful about the capabilities of its driver-assist technologies.
What the Tesla Recall Means for Owners
The NHTSA said Tesla plans to mail notification letters to owners of the affected cars by April 15, 2023, and provide a free over-the-air software update.
Additionally, owners of Teslas with Autopilot or Full Self-Driving software may be eligible to file a lawsuit against Tesla and seek compensation.
Currently, a proposed Tesla class-action lawsuit alleges that Tesla was aware of problems with its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems but misled consumers about the safety and capabilities of these driver-assist technologies.
