Greater than 750 Tesla homeowners have complained to US security regulators that automobiles working on the automaker’s partially automated driving techniques have out of the blue stopped on roadways for no obvious purpose.
The Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration revealed the quantity in an in depth info request letter to Tesla that was posted on Friday on the company’s web site.
The 14-page letter dated 4 Could asks the automaker for all shopper and area stories it has acquired about false braking, in addition to stories of crashes, accidents, deaths and property harm claims. It additionally asks whether or not the corporate’s “full self driving” and automated emergency braking techniques had been lively on the time of any incident.
The company started investigating phantom braking in Tesla’s Fashions 3 and Y final February after getting 354 complaints. The inquiry covers an estimated 416,000 autos from the 2021 and 2022 mannequin years. In February, the company mentioned it had no stories of crashes or accidents.
The letter provides Tesla a deadline of 20 June to reply to the knowledge request however says the corporate can ask for an extension.
A message was left early on Friday looking for remark from Tesla.
In opening the investigation, the company mentioned it was wanting into autos outfitted with automated driver-assist options similar to adaptive cruise management and “autopilot”, which permits them to robotically brake and steer inside their lanes.
“Complainants report that the fast deceleration can happen with out warning, and infrequently repeatedly throughout a single drive cycle,” the company mentioned.
Many house owners wrote of their complaints that they feared a rear-end crash on a freeway.
Within the letter, NHTSA asks for the preliminary velocity when the automobiles started to brake, the ultimate velocity and the common deceleration. It additionally asks if the automated techniques detected a goal impediment, and whether or not Tesla has video of the braking incidents.
The company is now looking for info on guarantee claims for phantom braking together with the homeowners’ names and what repairs had been made. It is usually looking for info on Tesla’s sensors, any testing or investigations into the braking issues, or if any modifications had been made.
The letter focuses on Tesla’s testing of the automated techniques in relation to detecting metallic bridges, S-shaped curves, oncoming and cross visitors and totally different sizes of autos together with massive vans. The company additionally needs info on how cameras cope with reflections, shadows, glare and blockage as a result of snow or heavy rain.
