Tesla Granted 5-Week Extension in FSD Probe
▼ Summary
– The NHTSA opened a new investigation into Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system due to over 60 complaints about it ignoring red lights or crossing into oncoming traffic.
– As part of this preliminary investigation, the agency has requested extensive data from Tesla, including detailed vehicle and FSD usage information.
– Tesla was granted a five-week extension to provide this comprehensive information to the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation.
– The requested data must include summaries of all incidents and crashes, including causal factors and details of any driver alerts.
– Tesla must also provide information on its work to fix the problem, any modifications to FSD, and its operational theory for traffic signals.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has granted Tesla a five-week extension to comply with a detailed information request tied to an ongoing safety probe. This investigation focuses on the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) beta software, following numerous complaints that vehicles using the system have run red lights or entered lanes of oncoming traffic. The regulator’s Office of Defects Investigation initiated this preliminary evaluation to gather extensive data from the automaker regarding these potential performance issues.
In fairness to Tesla, the scope of the agency’s request is exceptionally broad. NHTSA is demanding a complete inventory of every Tesla vehicle produced and sold or leased within the United States. This list must specify whether each car is equipped with the FSD system and identify the precise software version installed. Furthermore, Tesla must provide cumulative data detailing how many of its U.S. vehicles have FSD capability and the frequency of its use. The request also compels the company to submit all related customer complaints, field reports, incident documentation, lawsuits, and any other records concerning FSD allegedly disregarding traffic control devices.
For any incident that resulted in a crash, Tesla is required to furnish NHTSA with a comprehensive summary. This summary must include an analysis of the causal and contributing factors that led to the event. Additional questions from the regulator delve into specific operational details. Tesla must report on FSD engagement in the moments before each crash, any visual or auditory alerts presented to the driver, and all remedial work, including simulations, the company has performed to address the identified problems.
The inquiry extends to technical modifications as well. Tesla needs to document any hardware or software changes made to the FSD system and provide a thorough explanation of its operational theory for recognizing and responding to traffic lights and stop signs. Finally, the automaker must submit its own formal assessment of the core problem, outlining its perspective on the system’s performance and the nature of the reported failures. This extension provides Tesla additional time to compile this voluminous and sensitive dataset for federal review.
(Source: Ars Technica)
