The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States has announced that it is seeking updated responses and current data from Tesla as part of its ongoing investigation into the automaker’s Autopilot system and 830,000 Tesla vehicles. The agency sent a letter to Tesla on July 3, requesting updates to previously asked questions from August 2022 and demanding answers by July 19. The letter, made public by the agency, outlines the need for additional information regarding driver engagement and attentiveness.
The NHTSA’s investigation focuses on the performance of Tesla’s Autopilot system, particularly in relation to crashes involving Tesla vehicles colliding with stationary emergency vehicles. The agency is also examining whether Tesla vehicles effectively ensure that drivers remain attentive while using the driver assistance system. Autopilot is designed to enable vehicles to steer, accelerate, and brake automatically within their lane, while enhanced Autopilot assists with lane changes on highways. However, it is crucial to note that Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Capability Features do not render vehicles fully autonomous.
The NHTSA has raised concerns about the effectiveness of Tesla’s driver attention alert strategy based on available evidence. In previous crashes, the agency found that many vehicles exhibited little to no driver engagement or visual and audible alerts until just before a collision. Some vehicles did not show any alerts during the final cycle of Autopilot use. The recent letter from the NHTSA requests updates on any changes Tesla has made to improve driver engagement and attentiveness.
This investigation is an upgrade from the initial probe opened in August 2021, with the NHTSA now conducting an engineering analysis, a step required before potential recalls can be initiated. In its previous requests for information, the NHTSA sought details on Tesla’s cabin camera, which Tesla claims can detect driver inattentiveness and issue audible alerts to remind drivers to keep their focus on the road while Autopilot is engaged. The new letter seeks data on the number of vehicles equipped with “Tesla Vision” (cameras only, no radar) and whether these vehicles have the cabin camera system.
Over the years, the NHTSA has opened 40 special crash investigations involving Tesla vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems, including Autopilot. These investigations have followed reports of 20 crash-related deaths since 2016. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has also expressed concerns about the interaction between Autopilot and drivers, highlighting the importance of addressing safety issues in this area.
Tesla has not yet responded to the NHTSA’s request for comment on the matter.