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Tesla recalls over 350k US vehicles for faulty self-driving software

Updated on: 17 February 2023

Stefanie Schappert
Senior journalist

Tesla is recalling over 350,000 vehicles after US safety regulators found the manufacturer’s full self- driving feature can cause the auto to crash.

Tesla Inc. has been forced to recall 362,758 US vehicles after safety regulators discovered its Full Self-Driving (FSD) Beta software does not adequately adhere to traffic safety laws and increases the risk of crashing.

The faulty driver assistance system allows the vehicle to "exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash," according to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Tesla will provide owners of the recalled vehicles an over-the-air (OTA) software update free of charge.

The recall effects the following vehicles equipped with FSD Beta software or pending installation:

2016-2023 Model S

2016-2023 Model X

2017-2023 Model 3

2020-2023 Model Y

The NHTSA cited possible situations which could cause the car to crash such as “traveling or turning through certain intersections during a yellow traffic light and making a lane change out of certain turn-only lanes to continue traveling straight.”

Another scenario describes the system insufficiently responding to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits," the NHTSA said.

It’s not the first recall for Tesla in regards to the FSD Beta software.

Last year the electric automaker recalled more than 50,000 vehicles after the NHTSA found the software allow could allow certain models to conduct "rolling stops" instead of a full stop at some intersections.

According to Tesla, the “Full Self-Driving Capability are intended for use with a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to take over at any moment. While these features are designed to become more capable over time, the currently enabled features do not make the vehicle autonomous.”

The NHTSA also has an open investigation on about 830,000 Tesla vehicles with its Autopilot system over a string of crashes with parked emergency vehicles.

Although Tesla agreed to the recall, the company said it disagrees with the NHTSA findings, and they are not aware of any injuries or deaths related to the issue.

The news caused Tesla’s shares to dip 1.6% Thursday.