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Recent news from the US that has made headlines across the world is that Tesla has recalled millions of their EVs for a vital computer system upgrade/update. More than 2 million vehicles have been recalled in efforts to quell concerns about their Autopilot advanced driving system. But is this recall an alarming figure or just a standard part of the development process of vehicle ranges? We provide our insights below.
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Is This Recall as Alarming as It Seems?
On paper, the recall of over 2 million vehicles certainly seems alarming but when a manufacturer recognises a potential issue that is becoming prevalent with certain vehicles. The mass recall may seem alarming but Tesla is doing all that it can to ensure that there is a base standard across technology and safety across these vehicles. This recall has been applied to almost every Tesla sold since Autopilot was officially launched in 2015.
All manufacturers identify faults that need to be fixed. Although this is branded a ‘recall’ it’s an over-the-air software update. It doesn’t require the vehicles to physically be returned to Tesla which cannot be said for other recalls from Tesla and other manufacturers.
What are the Issues With Tesla Autopilot?
There have been social media videos in circulation of Tesla Autopilot going wrong which is why the media has been fixated on this topic in recent days. A probe in August 2021 by NHTSA revealed that Tesla vehicles in autopilot mode collided with more than 12 stationary emergency vehicles. But is it driver misuse that’s causing these issues rather than the system being flawed in itself?
Fact Check – The Recall May Not Even Fix Issues With Autopilot
This all boils down to what the issues with the software are. The software is getting updates to provide more prominent visual alerts, simplifies going in and out of Autosteer and makes the risks more evident when turning on the system. This isn’t a software issue that’s causing the collisions to take place, the NHTSA ultimately concluded that it was driver misuse and failure to intervene in the cases in which collisions occurred. So the fact that the system is being ‘fixed’ is a confirmed myth – the system is being made to be safer in use rather than the system itself causing collisions and accidents.
Autopilot as Driver Assistance
Autopilot is a driving assistance tool and should be treated as such. Consider the technology more as a lane management and stability tool and be fully aware of the risks. The system helps with driving but driver intervention is still key and it’s highly important to ensure that you are continuing to drive safely and monitor hazards with this driving mode engaged.
Looking to sell your current Tesla and get an upgrade? Use our free and 48-hour guaranteed Tesla valuation tool. There are exciting new ranges of Tesla vehicles and upgrades to current models being rolled out to the UK in 2024 so it’s a great time to think about upgrading to a new Tesla vehicle.