Massive Recalls from Tesla

On Wednesday, Tesla made a significant announcement regarding the recall of over 2 million cars, representing nearly the entirety of its active fleet in the United States.

The recall pertains to concerns related to Tesla's "Autopilot" system, a key feature in the electric car manufacturer's lineup. The decision to recall stems from an extensive investigation conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) over several years, revealing a substantial number of accidents involving the Autopilot system. It's worth noting that Tesla disputes the characterization of these incidents.

The NHTSA's investigation highlighted issues with Autopilot, which assists drivers in steering, accelerating, and braking. The recall, a setback for Elon Musk's company, adds to the challenges Tesla has been facing recently, including production difficulties and sales-related issues.

So, what triggered the recall?

U.S. regulators at the NHTSA initiated the recall to address deficiencies in how Teslas ensure that drivers remain attentive while utilizing the Autopilot advanced driver-assistance system. The process unfolded through meetings between the NHTSA and Tesla, commencing in October. During these discussions, agency investigators outlined safety concerns that, in their view, required resolution. Tesla, although not fully concurring with the NHTSA's analysis, agreed to a voluntary recall and implemented certain software changes. This recall follows a two-year investigation by the agency into accidents, some of which resulted in fatalities, involving Tesla vehicles while the Autopilot system was active.

Which Tesla models are subject to the recall?

Virtually all Tesla vehicles currently operational in the U.S. are included in the recall, except those that do not support the company's Autopilot system. This encompasses models Y, S, 3, and X produced since October 2012.

Notably, this isn't the first recall notice from Tesla in the current year. As of December 13, the electric car manufacturer had issued recall notifications for 13 different concerns across its diverse vehicle range, spanning from the Model X to Semi trucks. These recalls addressed a variety of issues, underlining the company's commitment to addressing safety and quality concerns.