Tesla halts FSD Beta Software Roll-out Amidst On-going Recall

Tesla has temporarily halted further deployment of its Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software to new participants. This follows on from an on-going recall affecting 362,000 cars enrolled in Tesla's FSD Beta program

Said recall sees Tesla addressing an issue in the software that could lead to violation of state and local road laws in the US due to the car's programming. Amongst the models affected include the Model S, Model X, Model Y and Model 3 produced between July 16, 2017, and January 18, 2023.

Recalled vehicles either have software version primed containing the ‘Autosteer on city streets’ feature, or have that software pending installation still.

According to Tesla, the firm has paused the roll-out of FSD Beta to all who have purchased the software but have not yet received it. New FSD Beta participants (those who have paid but have not yet installed the software on their vehicles) won’t be able to install Tesla's FSD software "until the software version containing the fix is available."

The automaker did not state a timeline for the fix but did note that the fix would be available "in the coming weeks". Despite the recall and pause, owners can still purchase the US$15,000 software. This likely stems from Tesla’s intent to fix the problem prior to delivering new vehicles, or activating driver's access to the FSD Beta program.

Despite the marketing, the FSD Beta software is still only a SAE Level 2 driver support feature that can provide steering and braking/acceleration support under certain conditions. “With FSD Beta, as with all SAE Level 2 driver support features, the driver is responsible for operation of the vehicle whenever the feature is engaged and must constantly supervise the feature and intervene as needed to maintain safe operation of the vehicle,” says Tesla.

The firm adds that when the feature activates, it could potentially infringe upon local traffic laws or customs while executing certain maneuvers in specific conditions before driver’s need to intervene. To clarify, this latest recall does not affect Tesla’s Autopilot driver assistance system in particular.