Tesla faces investigation over ‘phantom braking’ problem.

The US government is looking into complaints of Tesla vehicles braking unexpectedly on highways. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the United States is investigating the so-called “phantom braking” issue (NHTSA). 

It has received 354 complaints in the last nine months, and its probe will cover approximately 416,000 Tesla Model 3 and Model Y automobiles between 2021 and 2022. 

Drivers claim the problem occurs when they use the Autopilot driver-assistance technology. 

The technology allows the car to control some aspects of braking and steering while driving, but it is not a replacement for a human driver. 

Despite the name, Tesla advises drivers to stay alert and monitor their vehicles, emphasizing that the Autopilot ADAS system “does not render the car autonomous.”

The NHTSA is presently investigating Tesla for two other issues. 

It stopped its Passenger Play feature, which allowed games to be played on its touchscreen while the car was in motion, in December 2021, resulting in an ongoing investigation involving an estimated 580,000 automobiles. 

In addition, the NHTSA began an investigation into the involvement of the Autopilot system in 11 crashes involving emergency vehicles in August of last year, affecting nearly 765,000 Tesla vehicles. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has launched a “preliminary investigation” into Tesla in response to the accusations. This is the stage before the agency may formally recall the automobiles. 

According to the report, there have been no wrecks, injuries, or fatalities due to the instances. 

According to the study, “the complaints state that while using the ADAS systems, including adaptive cruise control, the car unexpectedly deploys its brakes while travelling at highway speeds.” 

“Complainants indicate that the sudden deceleration can happen without notice, at random, and frequently multiple times in a single drive cycle.” 

“ODI has initiated this preliminary investigation to evaluate the scope and severity of the potential problem, as well as to properly assess the potential safety-related issues.” 

The NHTSA makes public customer complaints on its website so that buyers may compare vehicle safety. 

“Heavy braking occurs for no apparent reason and with no warning, resulting in multiple close misses for rear end collisions… this issue has occurred dozens of times over my five months and 10,000-mile ownership,” states one driver in a complaint dated 11 February 2022. 

Another user, dated 3 February 2022, complains of “phantom braking for no apparent cause,” claiming that their automobile suddenly decelerated from 73mph to 59mph “in two seconds.”

Published By: Jaspreet Singh

Edited By: Kritika Kashyap