NHTSA probing FSD issues in low-visibility crashes

[Deleted member 27593]

https://www.reuters.com/business/au...over-full-self-driving-collisions-2024-10-18/

Excerpts:

The U.S. auto safety regulator on Friday opened an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with the automaker's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software after four reported collisions, including a 2023 fatal crash.​

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) preliminary evaluation is the first step before the agency could seek a recall of the vehicles if it believes they pose an unreasonable risk to safety.​

...

NHTSA said it was opening the inquiry after four reports of crashes where FSD was engaged during reduced roadway visibility like sun glare, fog, or airborne dust. A pedestrian was killed in Rimrock, Arizona, in November 2023 after being struck by a 2021 Tesla Model Y, NHTSA said. Another crash under investigation involved a reported injury.​

The probe covers 2016-2024 Model S and X vehicles with the optional system as well as 2017-2024 Model 3, 2020-2024 Model Y, and 2023-2024 Cybertruck vehicles.​

...

NHTSA is reviewing the ability of FSD’s engineering controls to "detect and respond appropriately to reduced roadway visibility conditions."​

Thoughts?

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[LuckyStrike]

My FSD completely and abruptly shuts down with bright direct sunlight. It also warns me it is “degraded” in heavier rain. I don’t know how they fix that to be “unsupervised” eventually.

 

[Chris9702L]

Hello, the driver is still suppose to be monitoring and needs to be ready to take control.

 

[shellac]

It’s pretty standard for the NHTSA to investigate a driver assistance system after accidents where it was used. They did it with Bluecruise recently.

I personally doubt they will find anything wrong with its low visibility detection. FSD is pretty quick to shutdown if it is having visibility issues.

 

[Crissa]

Thoughts?

NHTSA is obligated to announce and investigate before they know whether FSD was involved at all.

My FSD completely and abruptly shuts down with bright direct sunlight. It also warns me it is “degraded” in heavier rain. I don’t know how they fix that to be “unsupervised” eventually.

Well, they fix it, that's what they do. It can't currently do T turns, either, but you can imagine them adding that, right?

-Crissa

 

[llllIIlIIlIlIllII]

My FSD completely and abruptly shuts down with bright direct sunlight. It also warns me it is “degraded” in heavier rain. I don’t know how they fix that to be “unsupervised” eventually.

I have this problem as well. As winter approaches, and the trees no longer have leaves, this is happening much more often too. I am starting to think that vision based FSD is 3-season feature.

 

[mark555055c]

Standard procedure.

These four crash reports are going to be from people who failed to properly supervise FSD and they hit something. Then instead of taking responsibility for it, they blamed the vehicle and filed a complaint with the nhtsa which now leads to an investigation.

 

[24tex24]

FSD is great in clear weather. I get the "degraded" warnings in rain/fog. Honestly, I want to be in full control in those situations anyway. I haven't used FSD in active snowing conditions or on snow covered roads and don't think I would even consider turning it on. Come to think of it, how would FSD even work if it can't see the lines on the road?

Agree that this is a 3-season product for anyone that lives where it snows in the winter. I'm fine with that. Full disclosure - I use FSD mainly on long drives (highway).

 

[nocyber]

Having only had a Model S with radar and Tesla vision combined I don’t know what it’s like for those M3/MY drivers who have Tesla Vision only but this is my primary concern for vehicles moving to fully autonomous driving in less than ideal weather conditions. How are these vehicles gonna bring me from A to B in a snow storm safely? When my Model S can’t see the lines, it still uses its radar to keep me going but from those I’ve heard from with the Tesla Vision only your cars autopilot almost becomes unusable. Someone can correct me if I’m wrong on that last piece but assuming it’s correct, I just don’t buy into a Tesla Vision *only* future. I think it needs supplementation.

 

[Hunky Dory]

4 crashes. 2.4 million vehicles. 1 in 600,000. With developmental software they were supposed to be supervised. I wonder if there are more or less than 1.0 crashes per 600,000 human drivers.

 

[CyberGus]

The problem with the autonomous future is that human drivers constantly venture into completely unsafe situations with unfounded optimism. When the roads are slick or visibility poor, people are still expected to get to work, or to buy food, etc. We can't stop civilization every time it snows (well, we do in Texas, but that's a different story).

An automated vehicle should detect adverse conditions and go "aw hell nah!" while humans are expected to take the risk.

 

[RickJ19Zeta8]

I have this problem as well. As winter approaches, and the trees no longer have leaves, this is happening much more often too. I am starting to think that vision based FSD is 3-season feature.

I commute directly into the sun every morning in the fall and spring. About the worst conditions possible for vision based control. I’ve had near zero issues, other than the car likes to slow down, which is probably prudent.

Check the cleanliness of your windshield. Park looking into the sun (or at a forward angle to get glare). Bring up the cameras using the service tab and see if there is a haze. If so, it’s probably off-gassing residue from the new interior.

Schedule a service. OR there is a service manual procedure for cleaning the camera housing, but it is….. somewhat complicated and you need some tools.

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