From CNET: Remember when we told you last month that Tesla's latest software update to its Full Self-Driving tech might result in vehicles that intentionally -- and illegally -- run stop signs? It appears the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration took issue with the electric car company's new "Assertive" mode's capabilities. On Tuesday, the government safety agency posted a notice detailing the recall of 53,822 Model S, Model X, Model 3 and Model Y vehicles due to the issue.
The new setting for Tesla's still-in-beta driver-assist technology specifically calls out that vehicles with the mode activated "... will have a smaller follow distance, perform more frequent speed lane changes, will not exit passing lanes and may perform rolling stops."
That last bit -- a deliberate decision by Tesla programmers to allow vehicles to slow-roll through stops -- is what is triggering the recall of these 2016-2022 Model S and Model X EVs, as well as 2017-2022 Model 3 and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles.
According to related NHTSA documents, the uncorrected software "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." Those conditions include an absence of "relevant" moving cars, pedestrians or bicyclists detected near the intersection, and all entering roads must have speed limits of 30 mph or less. It's not clear how often this version of FSD engages in dangerous or illegal driving behavior.
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