Recently, Tesla Inc. once again announced a large-scale recall of some Model S and Model X models due to the possibility of unlocking the doors found during crash tests. The recall involves some vehicles manufactured between 2021 and 2023, and Tesla has already taken countermeasures such as OTA upgrades. Previously, Tesla also recalled more than 2 million vehicles due to safety risks in the self-driving function. Two successive large-scale recalls have raised public questions about Tesla's safety performance, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk has expressed his opinion on this.
1. Detection and countermeasures of door unlocking problems in crash tests.
Tesla reportedly first discovered the possibility of unlocking the doors during a routine crash test conducted on December 6. During a collision, unlocking the doors can pose an additional safety risk to passengers. Tesla Inc. takes this issue very seriously and has issued OTA upgrades to potentially affected vehicles as soon as the problem is discovered to fix potential safety flaws.
Tesla said that the number of vehicles involved in the recall is relatively small, but it still needs to be paid enough attention by car owners. The company will actively contact the affected car owners and provide necessary inspection and repair services. Tesla emphasizes that car owners should drive cautiously before the recall repair is completed, and contact Tesla customer service immediately in the event of a collision.
2. Safety hazards and recalls of Tesla's self-driving function.
In mid-December, Tesla announced a recall of more than 2 million Tesla models equipped with the FSD beta function due to the safety risks of the self-driving function. It is understood that FSD Beta is a beta version of Tesla's fully self-driving system, which allows vehicles to achieve autonomous driving on some roads and environments.
However, in the actual use process, FSD Beta exposes a series of security risks. Some car owners reported that when using the FSD beta function, the vehicle will have problems such as sudden acceleration and untimely braking. These problems not only affect the driving experience, but can also lead to serious traffic accidents.
In response to this safety hazard, Tesla has decided to recall all vehicles equipped with the FSD beta function. The scale of this recall is the first in Tesla's history. Tesla said it will comprehensively inspect the vehicles covered by the recall and make upgrades and improvements to the self-driving system to ensure the safety of the vehicles during future driving.
3. Musk's views and controversies on the recall.
Regarding the two consecutive large-scale recalls, Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed his views on social **. He argues that "the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is completely wrong to use the word 'recall' to describe Tesla's updated data." Musk believes that OTA upgrades are an efficient and timely way to solve problems, and should not be considered a "recall" in the traditional sense.
However, Musk's remarks sparked widespread controversy. There is a view that although OTA upgrades can fix the problem in time, the word "recall" can attract more attention and attention from car owners to ensure that the problem is properly resolved. In addition, Tesla's safety risks in self-driving technology have also raised questions about the maturity of its technology. Some consumers and experts have called on Tesla to be more cautious when introducing new technologies to ensure the safety of its products.
Fourth, safety experts' evaluation and concerns about Tesla's Autopilot system.
For Tesla's self-driving technology, safety experts have conducted preliminary tests of the Autopilot system equipped on the Model S. The test results show that Tesla's solution may not be enough to solve the problem completely. "It's still easy for car owners to misuse the feature," the expert said. "This means that even with OTA upgrades and fixes, Tesla's self-driving technology can still be a safety hazard in some cases.
Safety experts suggest that Tesla should strengthen the research and development and testing of autonomous driving technology in the future to ensure a reliable autonomous driving experience on various complex roads and environments. At the same time, car owners should be highly vigilant when using autopilot functions and be ready to take over control at any time to avoid potential safety risks.
5. Summary and outlook.
Two consecutive large-scale recalls have undoubtedly had an impact on Tesla's reputation and market performance. As one of the world's leading electric vehicle manufacturers and developers of autonomous driving technology, Tesla needs to take seriously consumers' safety demands and market expectations for its technological maturity. In the future, strengthening product quality control, improving the level of technology research and development, and strengthening communication and cooperation with regulators will be the key to rebuilding consumer confidence and consolidating Tesla's market position.
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