Tesla is under fire over unintended acceleration issues that are reportedly leading to crashes, a new report claims.
According to a series of news agencies, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is opening an investigation into the Tesla Model S, Model X, and Model 3 vehicles. Regulators want to look at accusations contained in a defect petition introduced on December 19 requesting the agency to look into unintended acceleration accidents involving Tesla cars.
Consumers complain that the vehicles in question can suddenly accelerate without intention. The agency reported receiving 127 complaints involving 123 unique vehicles. In 110 of the complaints, the issue reportedly led to crashes, and 52 of the complaints also mention injuries.
Vehicles that are under the scrutiny of the agency include the 2012 through 2019 Model S, the 2016 through 2019 Model X, and the 2018 and 2019 Model 3 vehicles.
Feds Probe Tesla, But Company Claims Equipment Failure Isn’t Behind Crashes
After the company investigated the complaints, it found no equipment problem. Instead, the firm said that driver error was behind the crashes, stating that pressing the wrong pedal was among the reasons for most of the cases of unintended acceleration.
Despite the firm’s claim, the NHTSA is looking into the matter independently to determine whether this is related to human error or a manufacturing defect.
We hope regulators are able to find the problem behind the unintended acceleration issue concerning so many Tesla drivers.
Automakers have a duty to ensure their vehicles are safe, and companies like Tesla should never ignore accident reports related to potential equipment failure. We have seen what happens when companies ignore equipment failure. Lives are at stake, and Tesla should work with the NHTSA to address this and any other unintended acceleration concern that arises in the future.
For more on the NHTSA’s announcement, follow this link for the full news report.
