The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has initiated a preliminary examination into approximately 280,000 recently produced Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. This significant figure underscores the scale of potential implications. This action follows alarming reports of steering loss and impaired power steering, raising considerable safety concerns.
This investigation has been sparked by 12 grievances lodged by owners of 2023 Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles.
A Trail of Steering Malfunctions
A troubling case reported in May featured a Model 3 driver whose car's steering inexplicably "felt stuck," causing the vehicle to lose control, skid off the road, and collide with a tree. This incident puts into sharp focus the gravity of the steering malfunctions under scrutiny.
Another disturbing account from Alpharetta, Georgia, detailed a predicament involving a barely two-week-old Tesla Model Y. As the owner exited a shopping center, they reported the steering wheel turning rigid unexpectedly, leading the vehicle to veer perilously close to the oncoming traffic lane.
Further complaints paint a similar picture of concern. A Tesla Model Y, less than a month old, displaying a "Steering Assist Reduced" error, was followed by an abrupt jerk of the wheel. The owner expressed feeling unsafe due to the suddenly disabled power steering, their unease compounded by Tesla's delayed service visit, attributed to a parts backlog.
In yet another unsettling incident, a driver from Honolulu reported their steering wheel randomly locking up within merely a week of purchasing their new Tesla. This malfunction recurred six times before the driver could get their car to a Tesla service center. Presently, the car remains there, awaiting a new steering rack/motor for an estimated three-week period.
Formal Investigation Triggered by Safety Concerns
Traditionally, an NHTSA investigation incites the manufacturer to thoroughly examine potential manufacturing or design defects, often culminating in a voluntary recall. The regulatory body compiles complaints from drivers via phone or online platforms and leverages this data alongside other relevant information to determine the necessity of an investigation.
These incidents have effectively marked the commencement of a formal investigation to assess whether the identified issues pose a considerable safety risk. If the NHTSA determines the presence of a substantial hazard, it may elevate the probe to an engineering analysis, potentially leading to a product recall.
While Tesla has not yet issued a response to the investigation announcement, it's worth noting the company's long-standing reputation for safety. Over the last decade, Tesla's safety accolades have been unmatched, earning them the title of manufacturing the safest vehicles globally. One can be certain that Tesla's dedicated team of engineers is tirelessly working round the clock, burning the "3 a.m. oil" to resolve these emerging issues and uphold the company's commendable safety record.
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Tesla maintains two primary software branches: the main feature branch and the FSD branch. In general, the FSD branch lags behind on new features pushed to the main branch but provides a more recent FSD version.
However, now Tesla is updating the main branch to a much more recent version of FSD.
Current FSD Build & Shadow Mode
Nowadays, the main branch always includes an older but stable build of FSD. It’s been on FSD V12.3.6 since July 2024. So, if you subscribe to FSD in North America, this is the FSD version you’ll receive until you get added to the FSD track.
Even if you don’t subscribe to or have purchased FSD, your vehicle has v12.3.6 on it. That includes vehicles in regions where FSD isn’t available for general use, such as Europe and China. In those cases, FSD runs in Shadow Mode, providing training data to Tesla if you’ve agreed to their data privacy policies. So Tesla is always analyzing what the vehicle would do compared to what the driver does. When there are contradictions, these are the clips and data Tesla will want to analyze.
FSD V12.5.4.2 on Main Branch
For the first time in five months, Tesla has now updated the baseline version of FSD in the main branch. The new version included with 2024.44 updates is FSD v12.5.4.2. This Tesla is updating the baseline FSD version to FSD V12.5.4.2
FSD 12.5 includes many features for a much smoother experience compared to FSD 12.3.6. Many users will appreciate that it gets rid of the steering wheel nag and instead relies on the cabin camera to provide real-time driver monitoring. This version also includes support for sunglasses with driver monitoring. It’ll be a big upgrade for anyone coming from FSD 12.3.6.
It's always a good thing when Tesla updates the baseline FSD version—that means that Tesla is confident that this new baseline is considerably safer and will continue to train the fleet against it.
What Update Am I Getting?
If you’re already on FSD V12.5.4.2, you’ll likely remain on that FSD build unless V13.3 manages to make its way to the public as Tesla originally planned, but that’s unlikely to happen before the Thanksgiving holiday. In all likelihood, you’ll be getting update 2024.44, which will give you some additional Tesla features while keeping you on the same FSD version.
For those who are already on 2024.44 - if you subscribe now, you’ll have V12.5.4.2 enabled on your vehicle.
If you have a Cybertruck, then you’ll receive update 2024.39.5 with FSD V12.5.5.3. They’re on a unique build for the moment, and this will likely be the case until Tesla acquires enough training data from the Cybertruck fleet.
The Cybertruck is having an eventful November. Just last week, we shared the news that Tesla isn’t offering their in-house wrap service for the Cybertruck anymore; the Foundation Series is now available in inventory in select US locations, Crossbars have arrived, and faster charging is around the corner. Now there’s even more to discuss about the stainless steel beast.
Projection Puddle Lights
Like the recently launched puddle lights for the Model 3 and Model Y, Tesla has introduced a set of add-on Projector Puddle Lights for the Cybertruck. These Cybertruck-specific ones go for $75 USD, or $105 CAD and are available in both the Canadian and US Tesla stores.
However, these don’t have the Tesla wordmark - instead, they feature the iconic Cybertruck symbol and, in our opinion, look even nicer. Here’s to hoping Tesla also introduces a set with the graffiti-style Cybertruck wordmark.
Powershare in Canada
While the Foundation Series Cybertruck has been getting delivered in Canada since November 7th, there was no news on Powershare being supported due to regulatory constraints. On the 20th, Foundation Series owners in Canada began to receive emails to get their Powershare installs started through Tesla’s official installer - Qmerit.
More to follow on pricing and the process as we receive our Canadian quote from Qmerit soon.
FSD in Canada
The Cybertruck Program Manager, Siddhant Awasthi, confirmed that with Powershare now becoming available, FSD for the Cybertruck in Canada will also become available soon. Canadian trucks shipped with a factory software build that didn’t include FSD, but did include TACC and stoplight/traffic control.
Early this morning Tesla began rolling out a new version of FSD 12.5.5.3 for the Cybertruck, which is update 2024.39.5. Will this be the version that rolls out in Canada?
Update: Yesterday, Tesla started rolling out FSD on the Cybertruck in Canada for the first time. The update being rolled out is update 2024.39.5, which not only features the latest FSD available on the Cybertruck, version 12.5.5.3, but it also includes all the features update 2024.38, which includes the huge Sentry Mode improvements that reduce power consumption by about 40%.
Following Integrated Flight Test 6 for SpaceX’s Starship, Elon Musk confirmed that uncrewed Starships are likely to begin making their way to Mars in about 2 years. You’re probably going to ask what’s going to be in those Starships - that’s what Brett Winston on X asked as well. Elon confirmed that Cybertrucks and Optimus robots will be among some of the first items landing on Mars.
That’s a ton of awesome news for Cybertruck, and there’s absolutely going to be more around the corner, especially as we await the big Tesla Holiday Update. While you wait, why not take a look at our Holiday Update Wishlists?
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![First Look at Tesla’s New 'Blind Spot While Parked' Feature [VIDEO]](https://www.notateslaapp.com/img/containers/article_images/model-3-2024/blind-spot-indicator-monitor.jpg/4cdcb11af7b1c7cf021ba96588fd4f1a/blind-spot-indicator-monitor.jpg)
