Tesla Recalls More Than 2 Million Vehicles to Correct Autosteer Problems

Automaker Tesla is recalling nearly all its electric vehicles over concerns that the cars’ Autopilot feature fails to alert drivers to take control when needed, increasing the risk of an accident.

Autosteer, an Autopilot function, helps control steering, braking and acceleration of the car, particularly on highways. When it’s not safe to use the feature, the car alerts drivers through visual and audible notifications, restricts speed or instructs the driver to intervene.

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“As the vehicle operator, the driver is responsible for the vehicle’s movement with their hands on the steering wheel at all times, remaining attentive to surrounding road conditions, and intervening,” said a safety recall report. “In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature’s controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reviewed 956 crashes in which the Autopilot was alleged to have been in use. It focused on 322 of those incidents, including frontal crashes and instances in which the system may have turned off unexpectedly, the agency’s chief of recall management, Alex Ansley, indicated in a letter to Tesla.

The recalled Tesla models

An estimated 2,031,220 cars are affected, including these models and product years:

• Model 3 (2017-2023)
• Model S (2012-2023)
• Model X (2016-2023)
• Model Y (2020-2023)

To fix the issue, Tesla will release a free over-the-air software update and send recall notification letters to owners as of Feb. 10, 2024.

Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 877-798-3752. The number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.

The NHTSA’s Safety Hotline can be reached by calling 888-327-4236 or through online chat.