Tesla has hit the brakes on the rollout of its Full Self-Driving Beta software to new customers, while it delivers an update to faulty code in existing at least 362,758 cars already using the software in North America.
The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently found Tesla’s FSD software was unsafe and prone to errors. It could cause vehicles to drive straight through intersections whilst in a turn-only lane, fail to come to a complete stop at stop signs, or veer out into oncoming traffic.
“In addition, the system may respond insufficiently 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,” officials said last month.
In response to the NHSTA’s investigation, Tesla promised to fix the software and deploy it as an over-the air-update – the digital equivalent of a recall program.
While Tesla develops and delivers that update, owners who have signed up to receive the FSD Beta code but are yet to receive it will not be given the software until it can tackle the safety issues raised by the administration.
“Until the software version containing the fix is available, we have paused the rollout of FSD Beta to all who have opted-in but have not yet received a software version containing FSD Beta,” Tesla confirmed. The deployment pause affects Model S, Model 3, Model X and Model Y vehicles that support FSD in the US and Canada only.
FSD launched in 2020 and has caused trouble for Tesla ever since. The California Department of Motor Vehicles, for example, has filed complaints and accused the company of false advertising and misleading consumers since FSD doesn’t equip drivers with fully autonomous capabilities despite its product name.
Drivers are still required to supervise the vehicle’s driving at all times. Tesla said its FSD Beta mode was a Level 2 self-driving car, meaning drivers must monitor their car’s steering, braking, and acceleration.
“In certain rare circumstances and within the FSD Beta operating limitations, when the feature is engaged, it could potentially infringe upon local traffic laws or customs while executing these driving maneuvers in specific conditions before the driver may intervene,” Tesla warned.
The Register has asked Tesla for comment. ®
