Federal vehicle safety authorities are asking TeslaIt did not initiate a recall, but it did push a safety-related update for customers in September.

Updated Tesla vehicles were able to recognize emergency vehicle lights even in dim light. according to a letterThe following is a link to Tesla from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It was posted to the website of the government agency on Wednesday.

Tesla’s Emergency Light Detection Update (or “Emergency Light Detection Update”) was distributed to customers via an over the air software update a few weeks later NHTSA initiated a probeTesla Autopilot, which is Tesla’s driver assistance package, could cause safety problems.

Tesla sells an upgraded version of its driver aid system, the FSD (or Full Self-Driving) for $199 per monthly or $10,000 upfront. Tesla systems do not make cars unsafe for driving without human supervision. These are only “level 2”, not fully autonomous vehicle technologies.

CNBC reported that NHTSA had identified about a dozen instances in which Tesla drivers crashed into the vehicles of first responders. These collisions were usually at night, or early morning, and involved Tesla drivers. NHTSA found that Tesla drivers were using Autopilot, traffic aware cruise controls features prior to each crash. One fatality was recorded in one of these crashes.

NHTSA would like to find out if Autopilot design flaws or defects contributed to these crashes. NHTSA also wants to find out whether Tesla’s software update was used for a stealth recall.

The agency could order a recall of Autopilot and affect Tesla’s image. A similar finding might also prompt greater attention to rating and regulating Tesla driver assistance systems.

NHTSA currently issues an NCAP rating, which is an assessment of the safety and crashworthiness for all vehicles in America. NCAP ratings indicate the features included in each car, however, NHTSA doesn’t currently rate or limit the use driver assistance systems such as Tesla.

NHTSA has been examining 12 other automakers as part of the Tesla probe comparable systems

Gregory Magno, the chief of the NHTSA vehicle defect division, informed Tesla’s Director for Field Quality Eddie Gates that automakers must notify NHTSA within 5 business days if they are aware (or should be aware) of safety problems in their vehicles.

Magno stressed the fact that software updates made over-the air are protected by federal recall laws.

Tesla was also asked by the agency for information about its activities. expanding FSD Beta program.

Tesla owners without safety driver training have the opportunity to try pre-release software and learn about new features for driving on US roads. FSD Beta software is not designed to make Tesla vehicles autonomous and it hasn’t been sufficiently debugged for wide distribution.

NHTSA also requested records about how Tesla selected and rated participants to the experimental early access program.

Tesla has recently introduced a “beta button”This allows customers to request FSD Beta downloads. A calculator for insurance that calculates drivers’ safety scores and provides FSD Beta download access was also made available.

Tesla owners with 100 points after driving 100 or more miles in a single week were granted access to FSD Beta. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, commented on this number during an annual shareholder meeting.

The National Transportation Safety Board and other vehicle safety advocates have called for the NHTSA’s attention. regulate systems like Tesla’sFSD Beta, Autopilot and FSD Beta should be available sooner than expected.