Tesla Autopilot Under Scrutiny: NHTSA Investigates 20 Post-Recall Crashes

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a fresh investigation into Tesla Inc.'s Autopilot system, questioning the effectiveness of a recall implemented months ago to prevent system misuse. The inquiry stems from 20 reported crashes involving vehicles that received Tesla's over-the-air software update following the recall in December.

The probe encompasses over 2 million Tesla vehicles, with NHTSA expressing concerns over the adequacy of the company's remedy. Tesla's shares experienced a dip of up to 1.7% following the announcement, marking a year-to-date decline of over 30%.

The investigation contradicts CEO Elon Musk's optimism regarding Tesla's autonomous driving capabilities, as he prepares to unveil a driverless robotaxi in August. Musk has downplayed regulatory hurdles during recent earnings calls, emphasizing the importance of conclusive safety data for autonomous vehicles.

Tesla initiated its Autopilot recall in December to address concerns raised by NHTSA, requiring car owners to opt in for certain changes. However, the agency questions the effectiveness of these measures and highlights separate Autopilot updates not included in the recall.

This isn't Tesla's first encounter with NHTSA regarding Autopilot updates; a similar situation occurred in September 2021 during a defect investigation.

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