MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Tesla’s auto-pilot ignores speed limits, leads to significant recall

Feb 16, 2023, 4:12 PM | Updated: 4:49 pm

tesla...

Tesla automobile plugged in and charging a Supercharger rapid battery charging station for the electric vehicle company Tesla Motors, in the Silicon Valley town of Mountain View, California, August 24, 2016. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images).

(Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

With electric vehicles (EV) sales on the rise and Seattle being one of the top cities for EV ownership, there’s a good chance your Tesla is on the latest recall list. 

Tesla is recalling approximately 363,000 cars (2016-2023 models) as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) voiced concerns over Tesla’s auto-pilot having a tendency to speed, particularly through intersections in “an unlawful or unpredictable manner.”

The company’s full-service, self-driving capabilities have the technology to accelerate, brake, steer, and change lanes on its own, but at times, Tesla vehicles have reportedly ignored posted speed limits, creating a significant concern with the NHTSA.

Washington state Legislature considers rolling back strict pursuit laws

Tests showed that a component in the steering system can create “an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety based on insufficient adherence to traffic safety laws.”

To date, Tesla hasn’t received any reports of injuries due to this voluntary recall.

Owners of the recalled models will be contacted by mail no later than April 15 and will be offered an over-the-air update to fix this.

NHTSA is additionally looking into 41 crashes using Tesla’s advanced driver-assistance systems, resulting in 19 deaths since 2016.

King County paces the state with more than 60,000 registered EVs, according to Washington data. Snohomish and Clark are the second and third-most populated counties with EVs.

The Tesla Model 3 is the most popular electric vehicle in the state, representing 20% of all registered EVs, followed by the Tesla Model Y (16%), the Nissan LEAF (11%), and the Tesla Model S (6%).

MyNorthwest News

seattle (8...

Luke Duecy and Frank Lenzi

Seattle begins encampment cleanup as property owners pursue claim against city

Seattle crews are clearing a homeless encampment after a recent shooting and years of safety complaints.

14 minutes ago

starbucks chipotle acquisition...

Jason Sutich

Starbucks reportedly eyes Chipotle acquisition that would reconnect CEO with former company

Starbucks is reportedly exploring a deal to acquire Chipotle Mexican Grill, a potential combination of two of the largest restaurant businesses in the U.S.

48 minutes ago

Seattle encampment cleanup homeless...

Jason Sutich

Independent journalist probes alleged food stamp fraud in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District

Independant journalist Nick Shirley is in Washington probing individuals and businesses in Seattle that may be engaging in food stamp fraud.

1 hour ago

Cornell...

MyNorthwest Staff with Wire Reports

Matthew Ingalls, accused of initiating alleged Cornell fraternity sexual assault, believed to have lived in Tacoma

Matthew Ingalls, the man accused of initiating an alleged sexual assault at Cornell University, is believed to have lived in Tacoma.

3 hours ago

lakewood bikini barista kidnap...

Lexi Herda, KIRO 7 News

Man found guilty of trying to kidnap Lakewood bikini barista

A jury found a man guilty this week of trying to kidnap a bikini barista worker.

3 hours ago

bite of seattle court suspect...

Brooke Griffin, KIRO 7 News

Teenage suspect in Bite of Seattle shooting appears in court

New evidence brought by prosecutors at Thursday’s status hearing for the case shows the teenager’s gun may not have shot any of the dead or surviving victims.

4 hours ago

Tesla’s auto-pilot ignores speed limits, leads to significant recall