Tesla, one of the leading electric car manufacturers in the world, has recently announced a recall of its Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software due to safety concerns. The recall affects certain Tesla Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y vehicles manufactured between 2016 and 2023 equipped with FSD Beta software or awaiting installation.
The FSD Beta system is designed to provide fully autonomous driving capabilities, allowing the vehicle to navigate roads and intersections without human intervention. However, Tesla has identified several issues with the FSD Beta software that could cause accidents.
According to Tesla’s official recall notice, the FSD Beta system may allow vehicles to act unsafely at intersections. For example, the system may cause the vehicle to travel straight through an intersection. At the same time, in a turn-only lane, enter a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceed into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver’s adjustment of the vehicle’s speed to exceed posted speed limits.
These issues could result in the vehicle exceeding speed limits, traveling through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner, and potentially causing accidents. Tesla has acknowledged that the FSD Beta software poses a significant risk to the driver and passenger safety and has taken immediate action to rectify the issue.
Tesla has announced that it will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update to address the safety concerns related to the FSD Beta software. The update will be available free of charge to affected Tesla owners, and the company expects to mail notification letters to owners by April 15, 2023. Tesla has also provided a customer service number (1-877-798-3752) that owners can contact for more information about the recall.
This recall is a clear reminder that even the most advanced self-driving technology is not foolproof and requires constant monitoring and updating to ensure safety. While self-driving vehicles have the potential to revolutionize the transportation industry, manufacturers must take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their vehicles and the public.