Staff Reports
Tesla, the darling of the green car world, is hitting a roadblock as they recall over two million vehicles in the United States, due to their notorious autopilot feature failing to work properly. The recall, affecting the Y, S, 3, and X models, spans back to vehicles produced all the way back to 2012, showing just how deep this issue runs. It’s almost as if the autopilot feature is on a permanent vacation in the Bahamas, leaving drivers high and dry.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration sent Tesla a stern letter detailing the risks involved with this malfunction. They warned that when the Autosteer feature is engaged, and the driver does not pay attention or fails to recognize when Autosteer is not working, there’s a bigger chance of a crash. It’s like Tesla’s cars are like toddlers asking “Are we there yet?” except their parents, the drivers, are napping in the front seat!
— CHARALAMBOS TOUMBOPOULOS (@Taxydromos69) December 13, 2023
Tesla’s solution to this meltdown? A free over-the-air software update that will slap some restrictions on when the autopilot feature can be used. It’s like putting a curfew on a rebellious teenager who sneaks out the window. Not the most reliable solution, but hey, at least they’re trying, right?
One has to wonder, though, if this recall will put a dent in Tesla’s shiny, eco-friendly armor. After all, it’s not a good look when your cars start following the “autopilot on vacation” trend. And let’s not forget the drivers who are in for the ride of their lives, quite literally, as they wait for that golden letter in the mail, expected to arrive on Feb. 10, 2024. It’s like waiting for a postcard from a distant relative you’ve never met, except the stakes are way higher.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration decided to throw shade at Tesla after investigating nearly a thousand crashes where the autopilot feature was supposed to be running the show. Looks like the spotlight that’s been shining so brightly on Tesla’s innovation has turned into a harsh interrogation light. Will they come out of this unscathed, or will their reputation take a hit harder than a fender bender on the highway? Only time will tell. And let’s just hope that autopilot feature eventually gets its act together, or else we’ll have a real mess on our hands.
