The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been investigating Tesla's Autopilot system for two years after numerous crashes while using the feature, including some fatalities. Now there's a recall. But owners will not have to trade in their cars, or even take them to be repaired. The software will be updated "over the air." The problem is that drivers rely too much on the Autopilot and Full Self Driving features. Despite the names, these features require a driver to remain alert and able to take the wheel at an instant's notice, and the features should not be used at all in city traffic and in some other conditions. So after paying thousands extra, Tesla drivers cannot just let the car drive itself, as they had hoped.
Jalopnik reports that experts believe the software update will not be enough to fix the problem, which is the expectation of the drivers who have purchased cars with the Autopilot and/or Full Self Driving features. Others say the recall is five years too late. A car with as many monitoring systems as a Tesla should be able to monitor whether the driver is conscientious enough to pay attention while the car is on Autopilot. Tesla says it will mail letters to all owners affected to explain the recall and the software update.
(Image credit: ReubenGBrewer)
