Elon Musk’s Tesla has reported over 1,200 autopilot crashes in the past three years. Also, look out for foreign nations spreading misinformation on social media, fake reviews targeting restaurants, and the rise of restaurant robots.
Tesla recalls 362K cars with 'Full Self-Driving' software that can cause a crash
The automotive industry is no stranger to recalls, and those can affect thousands or millions of vehicles. Nissan recently recalled over 400,000 vehicles that are potentially fitted with a dangerous airbag system that could cause serious injury. We have the list of affected vehicles and instructions for resolving the issue.
Now, Tesla’s “Full-Self Driving” beta mode, or FSD, is being recalled for crash concerns that could have deadly consequences. Here’s what you need to know.
It’s still in beta
FSD has long been criticized for false claims and misleading investors and consumers. Even the name isn’t accurate.
The cars are incapable of driving themselves. Tesla tells drivers to monitor the system and be ready to take control when necessary. Drivers must also apply pressure to the steering wheel at certain intervals, or the FSD will disengage.
RELATED: Over 5M cars have been recalled in the last six months — Is yours on the list?
FSD is not free. In fact, it costs a bundle:
- FSD is available for $15,000 when you purchase a new vehicle.
- Already own a Tesla? You can also pay a subscription fee of $99 if you have Basic Autopilot and want to add FSD capability.
- If you have Enhanced Autopilot and want to add FSD capability, it’ll set you back $199 per month.
Owners who paid for FSD on their current Tesla and want to buy a new one will have to pay for it again. The feature does not transfer to the new car. This has caused some grumbling.
Tesla’s self-driving woes don’t end there.
Tesla models being recalled
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced a massive recall of 362,758 Teslas equipped with FSD. Here’s the list of affected vehicles:
New Ford F-150: All the high-tech features coming to the 2021 lineup
Technology isn’t only advancing on the mobile phone and smart home fronts. The latest cars rolling out of factory floors are chock-full of incredible gadgets and sensors that make driving easier and safer than ever.
Even if you don’t have a brand new car, it’s possible to take advantage of some of this tech just by installing some handy accessories. Tap or click here to see six useful gadgets to modernize your older car with.
Tesla has the highest rate of accidents where at least one occupant is killed: The numbers don’t lie. The Model S has a fatal accident rate 4.8 times higher than the average SUV. The fatal accident rate of Tesla’s Model Y is also double that of the average car. It’s sad when you think about how many folks put their full trust in the autopilot features. You’re a fool if you do.
I couldn’t imagine: An 18-year-old driving a 2022 Honda Pilot got stuck on autopilot going 113 mph with his mom following him in another car. He tried everything to slow or stop the car, including putting it in neutral, braking and even pulling the emergency brake. Nothing worked. The solution? A responding police officer had the teen hit the back of his patrol car so the vehicle would stop. Fortunately, nobody was hurt.
The Wall Street Journal exposes Tesla's unsafe autopilot
They’ve reported over 1,200 autopilot crashes in the past three years, including some fatal. Here’s the full story.
Tesla tragedy: In Washington, a motorcyclist died after a Tesla on autopilot rear-ended him at high speed. The driver said he trusted the Tesla to drive for him while he was scrolling on his phone. Now he’s charged with vehicular homicide. So, so avoidable. Autopilot is not “self-driving;” it’s just glorified cruise control and lane assist.
Real statistics exposed - the shocking toll of Tesla's autopilot
Is Tesla’s autopilot too risky for the road? My perspective in this 60-second podcast.