Tesla has voluntarily recalled almost 11,704 vehicles following the identification of a software problem that could have caused a false forward collision warning or unexpected activation to the automatic emergency brake system. This was according to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration.
All affected vehicles were able to access the advanced driver assistance system, Full Self-Driving Beta from automaker Ford. In recent weeks, thousands of customers have been able to access the system, which is still in beta and requires that drivers be alert at all times. Tesla claimed that it is not aware of any injuries or crashes as a result.
On October 23, the regulator described an over-the-air firmware upgrade as introducing a software communication disconnect between two of its on-board chips. Tesla began receiving customer reports the next day.
The safety recall report stated that this communication disruption can cause the chip's video neural networks to operate less consistently than they are expected. Inconsistency can cause negative object velocity detections in the presence of other vehicles, which can then lead to false forward-collision warnings and automatic emergency braking events.
Some Model S, Model X, Model 3 and Model 3 cars manufactured between 2017-2021 are affected, as well as certain Model Y models manufactured between 2020-2021. Tesla released an additional over-the-air update to fix the problem. Owners will receive letters informing them of the resolution and the issue.
We investigated the reports in a matter hours and took steps to reduce any safety risk, Tesla stated.
This formal recall marks a departure from California's recent interactions with NHTSA, the nation's top automotive safety agency. Tesla has not yet issued a recall for the software update it released for a bug in its Autopilot system. NHTSA wrote to Tesla on October 12 inquiring why it didn't issue a recall.
Tesla knows that the Safety Act requires manufacturers of motor vehicles and equipment to notify NHTSA when they find defects in motor vehicle safety or fail to comply with an applicable motor-vehicle safety standard.
After identifying 12 incidents in which Teslas crashed into emergency vehicles, the regulator opened an investigation into Autopilot.
NHTSA stated that it will continue to talk with Tesla about this recall in order to make sure any safety defect is promptly addressed.
