Tesla disclosed in a financial document that the US Department of Justice has initiated an investigation into the driver-assistance features of its vehicles.
The filing comes amid an ongoing review of the electric car manufacturer’s Autopilot system by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). According to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing, the DOJ has requested documents regarding Tesla’s Autopilot and FSD (full self-driving) features.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, has repeatedly stated that a vehicle that is completely autonomous is only a matter of time away. However, Musk’s vehicles only include driving assistance, which assists drivers in changing lanes or recognizing stop signs, and not full autonomy, which would permit drivers to look away from the road.
The department is investigating whether Tesla’s claims about the dependability of its driver assistance systems could give drivers a false sense of security, despite the fact that the company did not specify the specific requests.
Tesla’s public marketing statements have been the subject of regulatory scrutiny before. Tesla states on its website that its Autopilot and Full Self Driving Capability options require a fully attentive driver who is ready to take control at any time and has their hands on the wheel. However, Jennifer Homendy, Chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), stated to CNBC in 2021 that using the term “full self-driving” is misleading.
Additionally, the company was the subject of a complaint last year from the California Department of Motor Vehicles for its use of advertising language that could make its products appear to be more capable than they actually are. It is reported that the Justice Department has opened an investigation for similar reasons. Several safety incidents involving driver assistance systems are the subject of the NHTSA’s investigation.
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