Tesla recalls 363,000 cars over Full Self-Driving software concerns

Almost 363,000 Teslas in the US are facing a recall notice, amid concerns that the firm’s Full Self-Driving software could force affected cars to behave in an ‘unpredictable manner’ that ‘increases the risk of a crash’. Oh dear.

According to reports, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) met with Tesla last month to raise concerns about the feature, which has caused what we shall neutrally describe as controversy over the last few years.

In its recall summary, the NHTSA said: “The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling [sic] straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution.

“In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.”

None of which is… ideal. In response Tesla said that it disagreed with the body’s fears, but will issue an over-the-air fix to remedy the problem.

Indeed, Elon Musk took to Twitter (because of course) to protest that the term recall for a “software update is anachronistic and just flat wrong!”

Definitely. The word “recall” for an over-the-air software update is anachronistic and just flat wrong!

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 16, 2023

Owners should be notified in writing by 15 April. Affected cars include the Model S and Model X (2016-2023), Model 3 (2017-2023) and Model Y (2020-2023) with FSD Beta already fitted or with installation pending.

In addition Tesla has said that it’s not aware of any deaths or injuries relating to the problem, although it is the subject of 18 warranty claims.

We’ve said it once, and we’ll say it again (because it’s the one thing Tesla and the NHTSA seem to agree on): FSD does not make cars autonomous and drivers should pay attention to the road at all times.