Tesla, the electric car maker known for its innovative and futuristic features, has recently issued a massive recall of its vehicles equipped with its Full Self-Driving (FSD) Beta software. The recall affects more than 362,000 cars sold in the U.S. between 2016 and 2023, including Model S, Model X, Model 3 and Model Y.
The reason for the recall is that the FSD Beta software, which is an advanced driver-assistance system that allows the car to perform some autonomous functions such as changing lanes, parking and navigating traffic, has been found to have some serious flaws that could increase the risk of crashes.
If you own a Tesla vehicle with FSD Beta software, you should check if your car is affected by this recall by visiting https://www.tesla.com/support/annual-and-recall-service or contacting Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which pressured Tesla into issuing the recall, the FSD Beta software does not adequately adhere to traffic safety laws and may cause unsafe actions around intersections, such as ignoring stop signs or red lights, making illegal turns or failing to yield. The software also does not always follow posted speed limits and may exceed them by up to 10 mph.
The NHTSA said it has received several complaints from Tesla owners about these issues and has also conducted its own testing of the FSD Beta software on public roads. The agency concluded that these problems pose "an unreasonable risk to safety" and could result in collisions with other vehicles or pedestrians.
Tesla said it is working on fixing these issues by updating its FSD Beta software via over-the-air updates. The company said it will notify affected owners by email when the update is available and will also provide instructions on how to install it. Tesla said it expects to complete the update by March 31, 2023.
Tesla also said it will continue to monitor the performance of its FSD Beta software and make further improvements as needed. The company said it is committed to providing its customers with "the best possible driving experience" and that it believes its FSD Beta software "is among the most advanced driver assistance systems available today."
However, some experts and critics have questioned Tesla's claims about its FSD Beta software and have warned that it is not truly capable of full self-driving as advertised. They have argued that Tesla's system still requires constant human supervision and intervention and that it may give drivers a false sense of security or encourage them to take their eyes off the road.
Tesla has faced several lawsuits and investigations over its FSD Beta software and other Autopilot features in relation to crashes involving its vehicles. The company has also been criticized for releasing its FSD Beta software to a limited number of customers who are part of an early access program without proper testing or approval from regulators.
If you own a Tesla vehicle with FSD Beta software, you should check if your car is affected by this recall by visiting https://www.tesla.com/support/annual-and-recall-service or contacting Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. You should also follow all traffic laws and regulations when using your FSD Beta software and be ready to take over control of your vehicle at any time.