US safety investigators are seeking details from Tesla about a December recall affecting over 2 million vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating 20 crashes involving cars with updated Autopilot software from Tesla’s recall.
The probe covers various Tesla models with Autopilot, made between 2012 and 2024. Tesla hasn’t responded to requests for comment yet. NHTSA wants Tesla to provide information and documents by July 1, including comparative data on vehicle performance before and after the recall. They’re also examining how drivers activate Autopilot post-recall and why certain crash-prevention updates weren’t part of the recall.
Last month, NHTSA criticized Tesla’s driver engagement system for Autopilot. They began investigating Autopilot safety in August 2021, finding numerous crashes involving misuse. NHTSA noted that Tesla’s December recall made it easy for drivers to reverse the software update.
