Tesla Autopilot Fault Results in Recall for Millions of Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X EVs

The Tesla vs. the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) saga has reached an expected climax, with the government body announcing that 2 million Tesla cars in the U.S., including the Model 3 and Model S sedans as well as the Model Y and Model X all-electric SUVs, that are equipped with the automaker's controversial Autopilot driver assistance system have now been officially recalled after a years-long investigation. Here's what we know.

More Than 2 Million Teslas Recalled

NHTSA's released recall report states that 100 percent of the recalled 2,031,220 Teslas equipped with Autopilot and Autosteer (in the U.S.) are defective. That includes certain Autosteer-equipped Model S vehicles produced between October 5, 2012, and December 7, 2023, and then every single Autosteer-equipped Model 3, Model Y, and Model X produced since 2016.

Tesla Autosteer Recall Description

The recall strictly defines the Tesla's self-driving capabilities as an SAE Level 2 system, which Tesla has challenged is more advanced and capable than that certification in the past. The SAE Level 2 system clarifies the driver assistance as involving simultaneous automated emergency braking, lane centering, and adaptive cruise control system capability which must be constantly supervised by the driver who should be able to take over and re-engage the controls at any moment. NHTSA's recall alleges that Autosteer (via the Autopilot system) "may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature," specifically in regard to having the vehicle notify the driver of system and condition changes.

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Tesla Autosteer Recall Timeline

According to the documents, NHTSA began "to investigate eleven incidents involving stationary first-responder vehicles and Tesla vehicles that were operating with Autosteer engaged" on August 13, 2021. The investigation was elevated to a full Engineering Analysis (EA22-002) of the company's driver assistance system in June of 2022. Based on the conclusions found in that investigation, NHTSA and Tesla met repeatedly from Oct. to Dec. of 2023, where Tesla did not concur with the agency's analysis, but did help to determine a satisfying remedy.

Tesla Autosteer Recall Remedy

The remedy for existing vehicles will be an Over-The-Air (OTA) update (software version 2023.44.30) to the car computer systems rolling out to most this week, but some later, which has already been flashed on all relevant new Tesla production vehicles beginning Dec. 7, 2023. Here's how NHTSA describes the update:

"The remedy will incorporate additional controls and alerts to those already existing on affected vehicles to further encourage the driver to adhere to their continuous driving responsibility whenever Autosteer is engaged, which includes keeping their hands on the steering wheel and paying attention to the roadway. Depending on vehicle hardware, the additional controls will include, among others, increasing the prominence of visual alerts on the user interface, simplifying engagement and disengagement of Autosteer, additional checks upon engaging Autosteer and while using the feature outside controlled access highways and when approaching traffic controls, and eventual suspension from Autosteer use if the driver repeatedly fails to demonstrate continuous and sustained driving responsibility while the feature is engaged."

Safety Record

It's not immediately clear if Tesla's Chinese and European market vehicles will also be impacted by these changes, or if those local governments will order their own investigations. The Euro NCAP safety body is already allegedly investigating Tesla's driver assistance systems. Tesla also recently came under fire from NHTSA over manufactured noises the vehicles emitted, an "Elon Mode" that potentially circumvented certain safety features, and an issue with vehicle steering wheels detaching while driving.