NHTSA Says There Are 750 Tesla Owners Complained About Faulty Brake, Now Demanding the Automaker an Explanation

Sophie Webster, Tech Times 03 June 2022, 02:06 pm

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or NHTSA reported that Tesla owners complained that their vehicles would stop even though they did not step on the brake.

Tesla Vehicle Brake Problem

According to ABC News, a total of 750 Tesla owners brought up the issue, getting the attention of the US safety regulator.

On May 4, the NHTSA sent a letter to Tesla about the brake issue and asked the car company to address it immediately as there are also reports of injuries, crashes, and even deaths because of false braking.

The US safety regulator also wants Tesla to clarify what "Full Self Driving" really is and if the automatic emergency braking system of the vehicle cause accidents.

This is not the first time the NHTSA has investigated complaints regarding Tesla vehicles. In February 2021, the US safety regulator investigated the braking system issue in Models 3 and Model Y after it got more than 354 complaints from owners.

Also Read: Tesla's Video Games to STOP Working While EV is in Motion: NHTSA

The new probe includes a total of 416,000 Models 3 and Model Y vehicles released in 2021 and 2022.

Tesla was given until June 20 to respond to the letter and to submit all of the requirements. If the automaker can't meet the deadline, they can ask for an extension, according to Reuters.

NHTSA Probe

The safety regulator said it would investigate vehicles with automated driver-assist features like Autopilot and adaptive cruise control. These features allow vehicles to brake and steer without the driver's assistance automatically.

Tesla owners who filed the NHTSA complaint said that deceleration happens without warning. The owners added that they are afraid that they may get into an accident while driving.

The NHTSA is looking for the speed for when the vehicles began to brake, the vehicle's final speed, and its average deceleration, according to The Washington Post.

It is also seeking videos of the braking incidents, and it wants to know if the Autopilot detected an obstacle that caused it to brake automatically.

The safety regulator is also asking for the warranty claims that include the names of the Tesla owners and where the vehicles were manufactured. It will also investigate Tesla's sensors and modifications to see if any adjustments need to be made.

The letter is seeking information about Tesla's testing of the automated systems in the vehicles, especially when it comes to shaped curves, oncoming traffic, metal bridges, and more.

NHTSA also wants Tesla to explain how its cameras deal with shadows, reflections, glare, and blockage caused by harsh weather.

Tesla did its own investigation of the braking issue in February. The US safety regulator wants a copy of the said investigation to know what caused the unnecessary braking and the risk it has on the driver.

The safety regulator wants the automaker to clarify if it gives warnings to the driver if defects are occurring or if a component is malfunctioning.

The NHTSA probe is the agency's efforts to understand Autopilot and Full Self-Driving. Despite being marketed as features that let the vehicle operate on its own, it can't really run without any driver inside.