NHTSA – America’s answer to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – has put pressure on Tesla and wants answers regarding changes the company has made to its Autopilot system following a voluntary recall in December that affected approximately 2 million vehicles in the United States.
Tesla has now been given until July 1 to provide information to NHTSA or risk fines of up to $135.8 million – NOK 1.5 billion – according to a letter sent by the traffic authorities to Tesla dated May 6.
The recall was intended to improve Tesla’s Autopilot, but since it was implemented, at least 20 Tesla vehicles have been involved in accidents where the system is believed to be in use, according to the letter from NHTSA.
Not done enough
This requirement comes after a three-year investigation carried out by NHTSA in which they found safety problems with Tesla Autopilot which are said to have been behind at least 467 collisions and 14 deaths from January 2018 to August 2023.
NHTSA has concluded that drivers involved in these crashes “were not sufficiently engaged in driving the vehicle and that the warnings provided by Autopilot when Autosteer was engaged did not adequately ensure that drivers maintained their attention on driving.”
Tesla ensures that the drivers of their cars follow the road by requiring the driver to keep their hands on the steering wheel at regular intervals. In addition, there is a cabin camera facing the passengers which checks that the driver’s eyes are directed towards the road.
Big changes
Now NHTSA wants detailed crash data from Tesla, including data and video stored in the cars from accidents and which is kept by the company.
Tesla is in the middle of a massive reorganization and extensive downsizing. The company has not disclosed how many positions in the Autopilot teams may have been cut.
Tesla shares fell 3.8 percent on Tuesday and are down nearly 30 percent so far this year.
