Tesla has initiated a safety recall, 23V-838, affecting approximately 2,031,220 vehicles, as part of a recall notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
This recall involves certain Model S vehicles produced between October 5, 2012, and December 7, 2023, Model X vehicles from September 15, 2015, to December 7, 2023, Model 3 vehicles from July 15, 2017, to December 7, 2023, and Model Y vehicles from January 9, 2020, to December 7, 2023. All these models are equipped with Autosteer, a component of Tesla’s Autopilot system.
The recall addresses issues identified with Autosteer, particularly when misused by drivers who fail to maintain continuous and sustained responsibility for vehicle operation. Such misuse could potentially increase the risk of a collision. The recall was initiated following extensive cooperation between Tesla and the NHTSA, including a series of investigations and meetings.
Tesla has developed an over-the-air software update as a remedy, which will start rolling out on or shortly after December 12, 2023, with software version 2023.44.30. This update will introduce additional controls and alerts to encourage drivers to maintain continuous driving responsibility.
Features include enhanced visual alerts on the user interface, simplified Autosteer engagement and disengagement processes, additional checks for Autosteer use, and suspension from Autosteer use for repeated failures to demonstrate continuous and sustained driving responsibility. In other words, if you don’t pay attention repeatedly when using Autopilot, you could be suspended from the feature.
This remedy will be provided at no cost to customers. Tesla plans to notify all affected vehicle owners with details of the recall and the scheduled update.
The corrective action in production began on December 7, 2023, with new Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y vehicles receiving the updated software.
Tesla stores and service centers will be notified of the recall on or shortly after December 12, 2023, with owner notification letters scheduled to be mailed by February 10, 2024.