Automakers are more and more often include features in their vehicles that are steps toward self-driving cars. Tesla claims to be a leader in developing self-driving vehicles. However, Tesla vehicles have an Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system that the complaint alleges is defective and slows or stops the vehicle when there’s no need for it, posing a safety hazard to those in the vehicle as well as those around it. The complaint calls this the phantom braking defect or the sudden unintended braking defect.
The Nationwide Class is all persons or entities in the US who bought, lease, leased, own, or owned a Tesla vehicle that suffers from the unintended braking defect. A North Carolina Subclass has also been defined, for those in the above class in North Carolina. The vehicles at issue include 2021-2022 Tesla Model 3 or Tesla Model Y and 2021-2022 Tesla Model 3 or Tesla Model Y equipped with the Advanced Driver Assist System (Autopilot) phantom braking defects.
Every Tesla vehicle includes Tesla’s advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), also known as Autopilot, the complaint alleges. It quotes Tesla as saying, “Tesla cars come standard with advanced hardware capable of providing Autopilot features, and full self-driving capabilities—through software updates designed to improve functionality over time… Autopilot introduces new features and improves existing functionality to make your Tesla safer and more capable over time.”
The AEB system, the complaint says, is “[d]esigned to detect objects that the car may impact and applies the brakes accordingly.”
However, the complaint alleges that “Tesla is rushing these features to market when the technology is not yet ready and not yet safe.” According to the complaint, Tesla’s AEB system “engage[s] randomly, unexpectedly, and often with great severity” even when there appears to be no reason for it. Because of this, the complaint claims, the vehicles will suddenly slow or stop even in the middle of traffic, turning what was meant to be a safety feature into a danger to those in or around the vehicle.
Tesla has known about the problem for years, the complaint alleges, through its own testing, customer complaints, and information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. However, the complaint claims it has not warned customers, recalled the vehicles for repairs, or offered customers replacements. According to the complaint, this defect should be covered by the warranties on the vehicles.
Tesla is not the only automaker to have equipped its vehicles with an ADAS system. “However,” the complaint claims, “Tesla’s ADAS system stands out in the crowd because Tesla makes up [] nearly 70 percent of U.S. ADAS-related crashes.”
Article Type: LawsuitTopic: Automobile
Most Recent Case Event
Tesla Sudden Unintended Braking Defect in Traffic Complaint
January 9, 2023
Automakers are more and more often include features in their vehicles that are steps toward self-driving cars. Tesla claims to be a leader in developing self-driving vehicles. However, Tesla vehicles have an Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system that the complaint alleges is defective and slows or stops the vehicle when there’s no need for it, posing a safety hazard to those in the vehicle as well as those around it. The complaint calls this the phantom braking defect or the sudden unintended braking defect.
Tesla Sudden Unintended Braking Defect in Traffic ComplaintCase Event History
Tesla Sudden Unintended Braking Defect in Traffic Complaint
January 9, 2023
Automakers are more and more often include features in their vehicles that are steps toward self-driving cars. Tesla claims to be a leader in developing self-driving vehicles. However, Tesla vehicles have an Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system that the complaint alleges is defective and slows or stops the vehicle when there’s no need for it, posing a safety hazard to those in the vehicle as well as those around it. The complaint calls this the phantom braking defect or the sudden unintended braking defect.
Tesla Sudden Unintended Braking Defect in Traffic Complaint