Is Tesla's Autopilot feature to blame for recent spate of crashes?

  • As many as 13 probes have been started in the US into accidents involving Tesla cars that make use of the company's company’s automated driver-assist features.

File photo used for representational purpose. (AP)
File photo used for representational purpose.
Get Launch Updates on
Notify me

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will open an inquiry into a collision on Sunday near Los Angeles involving a 2019 Tesla Inc. Model S that collided with another vehicle, the agency said late Tuesday.

Check Offers icon
Check Offers icon
Preferred Source Banner
Preferred Source Banner

Two people died and two others were injured when a Tesla exited a freeway, ran a red light and slammed into a Honda Civic, an NBC News affiliate in Los Angeles reported on Sunday, citing law enforcement. A NHTSA spokesman confirmed the agency was investigating the crash.

Also check these Cars

Find more Cars
Tesla Model S (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
BatteryCapacity Icon75 kWh Range Icon396 km
₹70 Lakhs - 1 Cr
Alert Me When Launched
Tesla Model 3 (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
BatteryCapacity Icon82kWh Range Icon 555 km
₹ 70 - 90 Lakhs
Alert Me When Launched
Lexus Es (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon2487.0 cc FuelType IconMultiple
₹ 56.55 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
Bmw I4 (HT Auto photo)
BatteryCapacity Icon83.9 kWh Range Icon493 Km
₹ 69.90 Lakh
Compare
View Offers
Volkswagen Id.7 (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
BatteryCapacity Icon77 kWh Range Icon621 Km
₹ 70 Lakhs
Alert Me When Launched
Hyundai Creta (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon1497 cc FuelType IconMultiple
₹ 11 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers

The inquiry, a crash scene and vehicle inspection, is the latest by the NHTSA’s Special Crash Investigations unit involving a Tesla vehicle. It has has begun 13 probes into Tesla vehicle crashes believed to involve the use of the company’s automated driver-assist features marketed as Autpilot.

A NHTSA spokesman declined to comment on whether Autopilot was a factor in the Sunday crash in Gardena, California.

The NHTSA earlier in December said investigators would look into a Connecticut crash in which a Tesla rear-ended a parked police cruiser while the vehicle was operating on Autopilot.

Tesla representatives did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

To contact the reporter on this story: Ryan Beene in Washington at rbeene@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Jon Morgan at jmorgan97@bloomberg.net, John Harney

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.

Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2025, Best SUVs in India.

First Published Date: 01 Jan 2020, 11:52 am IST
NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS

Check Latest Offers

Please provide your details to get Personalized Offers

Choose city
+91 | Choose city
Choose city
Select a dealer

Want to get the best price for your existing car?

Powered by: Spinny Logo
By clicking "View Offers" you Agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy
Dear Name

Please verify your mobile number.

+91 | Choose city
Couldn't verify the OTP.
It's either expired or it's incorrect.