Why is Tesla recalling 362,000 cars with the Full Self-Driving system?

Electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla has confirmed that it is recalling 362,000 vehicles in the United States due to concerns about its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system.

On Thursday the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that the software deployed in those vehicles does not adhere to traffic safety laws. The FSD system is the latest iteration of the company’s development of ‘driverless’ cars and has been in Beta testing in the US for months.

In a statement, the NHTSA said that vehicles with the FSD software installed were able to “exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner”.

What is Full Self-Driving?

A key component of the Tesla brand - and of its position as the world’s most highly-valued automobile manufacturer – is its development of self-driving vehicles. The FSD system deployed in recent models is the latest in a series of technologies that automate the driving process.

The firm’s Autopilot feature allows for traffic-aware cruise control and autosteer. The Enhanced Autopilot adds in auto lane change, autopark, and the ability to manoeuvre the car from a tight space using the mobile app.

The FSD system includes all this, but adds in a program known as Traffic and Stop Sign Control. Tesla says that this allows the vehicle to identify “stop signs and traffic lights and slows your car to a stop on approach, with your active supervision.”

The US safety agency’s concerns relate specifically to the FSD system, but they are continuing to conduct investigations into Autopilot too. Tesla does state that the technology is not designed to fully automate the driving process and recommends that drivers are ready to take control at any moment.

Is Full Self-Driving dangerous?

In response to the NHTSA’s concerns Tesla said that it will roll out an over-the-air software update for vehicles with FSD installed. The firm stated that it was not aware of any injuries or deaths related to the system.

Tesla was in the middle of a real-world testing program of the FSD Beta software when the NHTSA request was announced. The system was expected to play some role in Tesla’s upcoming Investor Day on 1 March.

The recall request from the NHTSA is the latest development in an investigation opened by the agency in 2021. That broader probe covers around 830,000 Tesla vehicles fitted with some form of driver assistance after a series of crashes.

After announcing the FSD recall, the NHTSA confirmed that the “investigation into Tesla’s Autopilot and associated vehicle systems remains open and active.”