Key Takeaways
Since 2020, American drivers have had access to Tesla’s most advanced autonomous vehicle software, Full Self-Drive (FSD). However, despite what the name suggests, FSD still falls short of completely autonomous driving as Tesla faces multiple challenges that have slowed its progress.
An updated roadmap released on Thursday, Sept. 5, suggested Tesla owners will gain access to new automated driving features. However, less than a month after the roadmap’s release, the carmaker recalled several vehicles.
Tesla announced on Thursday, Oct. 3, that it would recall over 27,000 Cybertrucks in the U.S. due to delayed rear-view camera images that could potentially compromise driver visibility and increase the risk of accidents.
This marks the fifth recall for 2024 Cybertruck models since January, highlighting ongoing issues with the new electric pickup truck. Tesla is addressing the latest problem through a software update. The latest recall, affecting most U.S. Cybertrucks, is the largest of the five for the model this year. Previous recalls addressed loose accelerator pedal pads, windshield wipers, and exterior trim problems.
Tesla began delivering the Cybertruck in November 2023 after a two-year delay due to production challenges and battery supply constraints. The company has not disclosed specific production or delivery figures for the Cybertruck.
The automaker explained that in affected vehicles, the system might not complete a shutdown process before being commanded to boot up, resulting in a lag in the rear-view camera feed. This delay could potentially compromise driver visibility and increase the risk of accidents.
While Tesla has received 45 warranty claims and four field reports possibly related to this issue, there have been no reported collisions, fatalities, or injuries associated with it.
The recall notice, filed with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, details that the rear-view camera image may not appear within two seconds of reversing the vehicle. The display may sometimes remain blank for up to six to eight seconds.
Following the news, the TSLA stock closed down by 3.4% in New York, at $240.66 per share, losing around $10 in per-share value.
Date | Event |
---|---|
September 2024 | FSD will be available on Tesla’s Cybertruck for the first time following the launch of v12.5.2 |
October 2024 | FSD v13 will introduce parking and unparking functionality, as well as a further extension of the distance between necessary interventions |
First Quarter 2025 | Tesla’s FSD is currently only available in the United States, but pending regulatory approval, it is expected to launch in Europe and China. |
FSD will be available on Tesla’s cybertruck. The latest software version will introduce its long-awaited “Actually Smart Summon” feature, which lets drivers summon their vehicle from a parking spot.
Another major upgrade will integrate Tesla’s highway and city capabilities, enabling the use of FSD from the beginning to the end of a journey. The mandatory distance between necessary driver interventions is set to increase threefold.
In October, FSD v13 will introduce parking and unparking functionality, as well as a further extension of the distance between necessary interventions.
Tesla’s FSD is currently only available in the United States, but pending regulatory approval, it is expected to launch in Europe and China in the first quarter of 2025.
Although CEO Elon Musk has promised that self-driving TesVCG / las are right around the corner for the last decade, things haven’t quite gone according to his ambitious schedule.
In 2014, he predicted that 90% of the miles driven in Teslas would be automated within a year. But ten years later, the carmaker still hasn’t delivered that vision.
Amid concerns over vehicle safety, U.S. transport authorities have repeatedly forced the company to recall software upgrades. These challenges mean features, including Actually Smart Summon, have experienced multiple delays.
Nearly a year after the first Cybertrucks shipped, an estimated 30,000 customers who paid for FSD are still waiting. Production of the Tesla pickup has also faced setbacks, with deliveries postponed on multiple occasions and vehicles recalled due to faulty accelerator pedals.
Meanwhile, the “pending regulatory approval” part of Tesla’s roadmap leaves a massive question mark hanging over its international plans for FSD. (Although new self-driving legislation in the U.K. and elsewhere could help.)
Away from FSD, Tesla’s robotaxi plans have also been beset by delays. Initially slated for an August launch, the proposed service has been pushed back until October, with further delays expected due to the recalls.
The move will likely benefit market leader Waymo, which has already surpassed 50,000 weekly driverless rides. It also gives Cruise more time to prepare for its anticipated relaunch before the competition heats up.