NHTSA ODI #11446874

2021 Tesla Model S Complaint

Lane Departure

Filed January 10, 2022 · Incident date December 14, 2021

Vehicle
2021 Tesla Model S
Component(s)
Lane Departure
Complaint filed
January 10, 2022
Date of incident
December 14, 2021
Reported VIN
5YJSA1E54MF

Owner's description

Autopilot cut off while driving on curved highway exit ramp, leading to driver's side of car grazing guard rail and rims of wheels grazing curb. Mostly paint damage. Repair estimate: $7,000.00 Car sustained minor damage, but I was told by collision center that other similar incidents had occurred, including one in which car had gone off the road into a ditch. I have confirmed this is a consistent software problem, cutting off on all highway exit ramps. Problem reported to local Tesla service, and they uploaded data from the car remotely. There were three dings as an alert, and a warning appeared on driver's display "autopilot guidance complete" and beneath it, in very small letters difficult to read, "Tap accelerator to continue." I consider this a software design flaw. Default on a curve should be to switch from autopilot guidance to lane keeping, not shut off altogether. Also, warning should be more visually an audibly prominent. For example, when guidance is not available on a city street, there is a distinctive alarm and obvious flashing on dashboard display. There should be a similar warning when autopilot is about to shut off.

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Data sourced from the NHTSA Complaints database. Complaints are submitted by vehicle owners and have not been independently verified.