Tesla issues massive recall in US, Canada to correct Autosteer

AUSTIN, Texas -- Automaker Tesla has issued a full-scale recall on any model manufactured between 2012-2023 that is equipped with the Autosteer feature.

"This includes certain model year 2012-2023 Model S that are equipped with Autosteer and were produced between Oct. 5, 2012, and Dec. 7, 2023, and all model year 2016-2023 Model X vehicles, all model year 2017-2023 Model 3 vehicles and all model year 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles that are equipped with Autosteer and were produced through Dec. 7, 2023," the company said in the recall statement.

"Cybertruck is not affected by this recall."

According to Tesla, Autosteer is a Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature that, in coordination with the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) feature, can provide steering, braking and acceleration support to the driver subject to certain limited operating conditions.

"Autosteer is designed and intended for use on controlled-access highways when the feature is not operating in conjunction with the Autosteer on City Streets feature. When Autosteer is engaged, as with all SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance features and systems, the driver is the operator of the vehicle," the company said.

There is some good news for Tesla owners: the remedy will not require the owner to schedule a service appointment. Rather, it will be an 'over-the-air' software update which is expected to be sent to certain vehicles on or shortly after Dec. 12.

"The remedy will incorporate additional controls and alerts to those already existing on affected vehicles to further encourage the driver to adhere to their continuous driving responsibility whenever Autosteer is engaged, which includes keeping their hands on the steering wheel and paying attention to the roadway," the company said.

"Depending on vehicle hardware, the additional controls will include, among others, increasing the prominence of visual alerts on the user interface, simplifying engagement and disengagement of Autosteer, additional checks upon engaging Autosteer and while using the feature outside controlled access highways and when approaching traffic controls and eventual suspension from Autosteer use if the driver repeatedly fails to demonstrate continuous and sustained driving responsibility while the feature is engaged."

The company says that if your vehicle is equipped with an in-cabin camera and Autopilot Hardware 3.0 or 4.0, and is running software version 2023.44.30 or later, then your vehicle's software has already been updated and there is nothing more you need to do.

Owners can confirm their vehicle’s software version by tapping 'Controls' > 'Software’ on their touchscreen or at the bottom of the vehicle’s home screen in the Tesla mobile app.

The vehicles are considered safe to drive in their current conditions.

"However, in certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, if a driver misuses the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature such that they fail to maintain continuous and sustained responsibility for vehicle operation and are unprepared to intervene, fail to recognize when the feature is canceled or not engaged and/or fail to recognize when the feature is operating in situations where its functionality may be limited, there may be an increased risk of a collision," the company said.

All owners can check if their VIN is affected by using either the Tesla VIN Recall Search or NHTSA VIN Recall Search tools.