Tesla has been prompted to recall thousands of its Model S, X, 3, and Y vehicles due to a feature in their Full Self-Driving Beta that allows them to drive past stop signs without first coming to a complete stop.
As detailed in a new safety recall report published by the NHTSA, the issue stems from the “rolling stop” feature that’s available in the Full Self-Driving Beta’s “assertive” driving profile, whereby Tesla vehicles can continue driving past four-way stop intersections at up to 5.6 mph if they don’t detect any road users or pedestrians around. According to the NHTSA’s report, there are over 53,000 Tesla vehicles out there that could take advantage of this seemingly dangerous feature that could “increase the risk of collision.”
“The subject population includes certain Model S, X, 3 and Y vehicles operating firmware release 2020.40.4.10 or newer that contain Full Self-Driving (Beta) (“FSD Beta”) feature, determined by a review of firmware release records,” a description of the defect reads.
“A software functionality referred to as ‘rolling stop’ allows the vehicle to travel through all-way-stop intersections at up to 5.6 mph before coming to a complete stop, if certain conditions are first met.”
Tesla says that it will disable the rolling stop feature with firmware release 2021.44.30.15, which is expected to be released early this month. No known collisions, injuries, or fatalities have resulted from the feature yet, according to the company.
Source: NHTSA