40 stories tagged autopilot on EV Digest.
Federal data reveals July 2026 was Tesla's worst month on record for driver-assist system incidents, with four fatal crashes occurring while Autopilot or Full Self-Driving (FSD) was reportedly engaged. This marks a significant increase in reported incidents involving the company's advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
A recent single-vehicle crash on Interstate 35 in rural Missouri, which claimed the life of a 64-year-old Tesla Model Y driver, reportedly occurred with the vehicle's Autopilot driver-assist system engaged. This detail, disclosed by Tesla to federal regulators, highlights ongoing scrutiny into the safety of advanced driver-assistance technologies. The incident is part of a broader investigation linking reported accidents to Tesla's internal data submitted to NHTSA.
A U.S. Congressman has formally questioned the Department of Transportation regarding its oversight of Tesla's Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) systems. This inquiry follows an investigation revealing numerous instances of drivers apparently asleep while their vehicles were operating on these advanced driver-assistance features. The DOT has been given a September 30 deadline to respond to five key questions concerning the systems' safety and regulation.
Recently uncovered data indicates Tesla's Autopilot driver-assist system was engaged during a fatal single-vehicle crash in Alabama that killed the driver. While authorities initially reported the incident as a standard road departure, internal vehicle records reveal the system's involvement in the moments leading up to the collision. This case highlights ongoing concerns regarding the use and reporting of advanced driver-assistance systems in accident investigations.
Tesla has begun rolling out new Full Self-Driving (FSD) software versions to its vehicle fleet. This update includes V12.3.9 for newer Hardware 4 vehicles, which gains an exclusive 'Automatic Collision Evasion' feature, while a V12.2 Lite build is heading to older Hardware 3 cars.
A recent fatal accident in New Jersey involving a Tesla Model 3 has drawn scrutiny after records confirmed the vehicle's Full Self-Driving or Autopilot system was active when it ran a stop sign. The incident resulted in the death of 82-year-old Stephen Field, raising further questions about the safety and responsibility surrounding advanced driver-assistance technologies. This comes as part of an ongoing investigation matching reported crashes with Tesla's data provided to NHTSA.
Internal Tesla data submitted to federal regulators confirms that one of its vehicles was operating with its driver-assist system, either Autopilot or Full Self-Driving, active during a fatal collision with a motorcyclist last year. This incident, which largely escaped public notice, highlights challenges in tracking such crashes and the transparency of related data.
Tesla has confidentially settled a wrongful death lawsuit stemming from a 2023 incident where a Model S, operating on Autopilot, crashed into a parked fire truck, resulting in the driver's death and severe injuries to a passenger. This out-of-court resolution allows Tesla to avoid a jury trial that would have scrutinously examined the company's claims regarding its advanced driver-assistance system.
A new investigation alleges that Tesla is systematically redacting critical details from its required crash reports concerning Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) incidents, making it nearly impossible for the public to understand the circumstances of these fatal events. By cross-referencing these heavily censored federal filings with publicly reported accidents, the investigation aims to shed light on incidents where Tesla's advanced driver-assistance systems were implicated.
Elon Musk has announced that Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system will soon incorporate pothole avoidance capabilities. This upcoming feature aims to enhance ride comfort and vehicle longevity by identifying and navigating around road imperfections, leveraging the advanced software suite already present in Tesla vehicles.
A recent Electrek investigation suggests that a fatal 2022 collision on Florida's I-4, where a Tesla Model 3 stopped in a live lane and was rear-ended by a semi-truck, occurred while the vehicle's driver-assist system was active. Tesla's internal data, which the company has reportedly sealed, is key to understanding why the car came to a halt on the highway. This incident adds to a series of crashes where Tesla's advanced driver-assistance systems are under scrutiny.
Another tragic incident involving a Tesla vehicle stopped on a major highway, this time in Arizona, has resulted in a driver's death. As in a previous Florida case, the car's advanced driver-assistance system, Autopilot/Full Self-Driving, was found to be engaged at the time of the collision, raising further questions about its operation in critical situations.
Tesla has informed federal regulators that its Autopilot or Full Self-Driving system was actively engaged when a Model 3 crashed at 104 mph in Clute, Texas, resulting in the driver's death. This crucial detail, which was not initially disclosed in public reports, highlights ongoing concerns about transparency in incidents involving advanced driver-assist systems.
A key figure in Tesla's custom AI chip development, Senior Director of AI Hardware Design Shishuang Sun, has left the automaker for DensityAI, a startup founded by former members of Tesla's Dojo team. Sun was instrumental in designing the hardware for both Dojo and Autopilot systems, a critical role given Tesla's valuation rests heavily on its in-house AI capabilities. This departure highlights the ongoing movement of talent from Tesla's advanced technology divisions to emerging ventures.
A prominent Tesla community developer has bypassed official channels to upgrade a Model 3 from Hardware 3 (HW3) to the newer Hardware 4 (HW4) computer. This significant undertaking provides an unofficial solution for owners eager for enhanced autonomous driving capabilities, predating any potential factory retrofit programs.
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan sustained multiple injuries, including a concussion and broken bones, after his Tesla Model S, operating on Autopilot, crashed while he was reportedly reaching for his phone. The incident highlights the critical importance of driver attentiveness even when advanced driver-assistance systems are engaged, underscoring that these systems require active supervision. Shanahan has taken responsibility for the accident, not blaming the vehicle for the collision.
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan recounts a recent collision involving his Tesla, which was operating on Autopilot at the time. Despite the advanced driver-assistance system being engaged, Shanahan accepts full blame for the incident, acknowledging his ultimate responsibility as the driver.
Some Tesla owners running the latest FSD (Full Self-Driving) V14 Lite software are reporting that the update is causing their vehicle's computer to overheat. This issue, which can lead to reduced system performance and safety concerns, highlights potential new challenges with advanced driver-assistance system software rollouts.
Tesla owners running the latest Full Self-Driving (FSD) v14 "Lite" software on older Hardware 3 (HW3) vehicles are increasingly reporting issues. Many users are experiencing Autopilot computer overheating alerts and, in some cases, complete system failures, raising concerns about the compatibility and strain of the new software on existing hardware.
A refreshed Tesla Model Y could soon benefit from camera washers, as unreleased hardware components briefly surfaced in the company's service parts catalog. This upgrade would help maintain clear visibility for the vehicle's ADAS and Full Self-Driving systems in varied weather conditions. Such an enhancement could improve the reliability and performance of Tesla's driver-assistance features.
Tesla's assisted driving systems, Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD), were involved in a record 207 reported crashes within a single month. This unprecedented number, disclosed by Tesla to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), coincides with the company's aggressive push for broader FSD adoption. Critics note that Tesla continues to redact critical incident details in these crash reports.
Tesla's Vice President of Vehicle Engineering, Lars Moravy, indicated that the highly anticipated Full Self-Driving (FSD) v12.4.1 software update should soon reach a wider release. This new iteration, initially dubbed 'v14 Lite' before being renamed, includes performance enhancements and is expected to benefit owners of older Tesla vehicles equipped with Hardware 3.
A Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) user claims the system was responsible for a recent speeding ticket, alleging his vehicle accelerated to 78 km/h in a 50 km/h zone. This incident highlights concerns about FSD's speed control, especially after Tesla recently removed a feature that allowed drivers to set a speed offset relative to the detected speed limit, giving users less control over the autonomous system's behavior.
Florida's Attorney General is appealing a Miami jury's $243 million verdict against Tesla regarding a fatal Autopilot-involved crash. Joined by Alabama and Georgia, the filing urges the 11th Circuit Court to either fully dismiss the judgment or significantly reduce the $200 million punitive damages awarded.
A recent incident highlights potential shortcomings in Tesla's driver monitoring system, as a driver was reportedly caught napping at 60 mph with Autopilot active. This raises questions about the effectiveness of the in-cabin camera in ensuring driver attentiveness and preventing misuse of advanced driver-assistance features.
Tesla has updated its mobile app to include live animations of the vehicle's Full Self-Driving (FSD) visualization. This new feature allows owners to remotely monitor their car's autonomous driving actions, providing a real-time perspective on how the FSD system perceives and navigates its surroundings.
A Tesla driver in British Columbia was filmed seemingly asleep while their vehicle traveled at 100 km/h on a highway, with children also in the car. This incident highlights a potential vulnerability in Tesla's driver monitoring system, which reportedly failed to detect the driver's state due to them wearing sunglasses. The event prompts questions about the efficacy of current in-car monitoring technologies when presented with simple obstructions.
A Texas grand jury has indicted a Tesla driver on manslaughter charges following a fatal crash where a vehicle operating on Autopilot veered off the road and plowed into a home. The incident, captured by a doorbell camera, resulted in the death of a woman inside her residence. This development marks a significant legal escalation concerning driver accountability when advanced driver-assistance systems are engaged.
Tesla has begun deploying its Full Self-Driving (FSD) v14 Lite software to vehicles equipped with older Hardware 3, extending the latest autonomy architecture to a wider range of its fleet. This update aims to bring advanced self-driving capabilities to more Tesla owners, enhancing the user experience for those with previous-generation hardware.
Tesla has announced the latest FSD (Full Self-Driving) version 12 is beginning its international rollout, specifically for older Hardware 3 (HW3) vehicles. This expansion brings advanced driver-assistance features to a wider global audience, expanding beyond the initial North American availability.
Tesla has started rolling out its Full Self-Driving (FSD) v14-Lite software update to vehicles equipped with older Hardware 3. This update uses neural network distillation to bring advanced AI-driven dynamics to previous-generation systems, enhancing autonomous capabilities for a wider range of Tesla owners.
In a wrongful death lawsuit, Elon Musk has publicly denied that Tesla's Autopilot system was responsible for a 2022 crash that killed an 87-year-old woman. Instead, Musk pointed to evidence suggesting the driver mistakenly pressed the accelerator pedal instead of the brake, maintaining that user error was the cause.
The family of a 76-year-old woman in Katy, Texas, who died after a Tesla crashed into her home, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the automaker and the driver. The suit alleges that Tesla's Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems are defectively designed, echoing arguments from a previous landmark verdict against the company.
The family of a 76-year-old Texas woman has filed a lawsuit against Tesla. The suit alleges a Tesla Model 3, reportedly operating on driver-assistance software, crashed into her home near Houston, resulting in her death. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about the safety and deployment of advanced driver-assistance systems.
Federal safety regulators are probing a deadly incident involving a Tesla Model 3 that crashed into a Katy, Texas home last week, resulting in the death of an elderly woman. The vehicle was reportedly operating on an advanced driver assistance system, prompting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's inquiry into the system's role.
Federal regulators confirmed an investigation has been launched into a recent Tesla collision in Texas that tragically killed one woman. Authorities confirmed the driver-assistance system, reportedly Autopilot, was engaged at the time of the incident, prompting the federal safety inquiry.
Federal safety regulators are investigating a deadly Tesla crash in Katy, Texas, where a Model 3 veered off the road, plowed through a residence, and killed a 76-year-old woman. The incident, which occurred on June 20, is under scrutiny after the driver claimed the vehicle was operating on Autopilot at the time of impact. This marks another instance of NHTSA examining Tesla's advanced driver-assistance systems in a lethal collision.
A Tesla Model Y operating on Autopilot tragically crashed into a home in Katy, Texas, resulting in the death of a 76-year-old woman. Authorities are investigating the incident, which saw the vehicle leave the roadway and strike the victim inside her living room. The crash raises further questions about the safety implications of advanced driver-assistance systems.
A California woman died when a Tesla operating on Autopilot veered off the road and crashed into her house. The incident, captured by a doorbell camera, highlights ongoing concerns about ADAS safety and prompt investigations by local authorities and the NTSB.
A Tesla operating on Autopilot veered off a Texas road and crashed into a house, resulting in the death of a woman inside. The driver informed investigators he was actively using the advanced driver-assistance system at the time of the fatal incident. This event highlights ongoing concerns about the safety and deployment of semi-autonomous driving technologies.
