Tesla recalls cars with full self-driving to prevent ‘rolling stops’

The electric carmaker has recalled over 50,000 cars as concerns mount the ‘rolling stop’ in self-driving software could allow some cars to travel without coming to a halt.

The road safety regulators expressed alarm that the ‘rolling stop’ could allow some cars to travel, without coming to a halt. Picture: David Paul Morris

Tesla is recalling 53,822 cars in the United States over concerns about safety risks linked to its automated driving software.

The electric carmaker will disable the “rolling stop” feature of developmental self-driving software after road safety regulators expressed alarm that it could allow some cars to travel, without coming to a halt, through junctions that legally require all vehicles to stop.

While Tesla told the US national highway traffic safety administration that it was not aware of any collisions, injuries or fatalities relating to the potential issue as of January 27, it agreed last month to a recall.

Autonomous technology is a key part of Tesla’s business. Elon Musk, its chief executive, said last week it would become “the most important source of profitability” for the company, telling investors he would be “shocked” if its self-driving software is not “safer than human” control by the end of this year.

Founded in 2003, the world’s most highly valued carmaker is a pioneer in the electric car industry. Tesla has been stepping up production as established motor groups turn away from traditional gas-guzzling vehicles.

Chief executive of Tesla Elon Musk. Picture: AFP

The company, which recently moved its global headquarters from Silicon Valley to Austin, Texas, fleetingly became a one trillion dollar business before an extraordinary market rally went into reverse. On Tuesday its shares were flat, down almost 0.02 per cent, at dollars 936.56.

Tesla has been testing the improved version of its full-self driving software on public roads, although the group and regulators have said the features do not make cars fully autonomous.

A software release on October 20 introduced the “rolling stop”. Tesla met regulatory officials on January 10 and January 19 to discuss it and will issue a remote software update after March 28.

In August, the traffic safety authority opened an investigation into Tesla’s Autopilot driver assistance system in 765,000 vehicles. Last week it sought information for an inquiry into 580,000 cars relating to the company’s decision to allow games to be played by passengers on the dashboard touchscreen.

The Times