NHTSA investigates Tesla touchscreen failures

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Countrywide Freeway Visitors Protection Administration (NHTSA) mentioned Tuesday it had opened an investigation into 63,000 Tesla Model S cars and trucks following experiences of media-manage device failures that led to the loss of the use of touchscreens.

The vehicle safety company mentioned the preliminary evaluation addresses 2012-2015 product calendar year automobiles. It will come following the safety company been given eleven complaints alleging premature failure of the media-manage device because of to memory dress in-out. Tesla used the identical device in 159,000 2012-2018 Model S and 2016-2018 Model X automobiles created via early 2018.

A comprehensive device failure final results in the loss of audible and visible touchscreen functions, these as infotainment, navigation, website searching, and loss of the rear-digicam image exhibit when in reverse equipment.

Some complaints mentioned the failure could consequence in a loss of charging capability and that other safety alerts could be impacted. A person driver mentioned he could not distinct fogged windows because he could not adjust weather controls.

A further criticism mentioned the failure disabled safety monitors linked with Tesla’s driver-help system Autopilot.

The complaints mentioned Tesla necessitates house owners to fork out to swap the device once the guarantee expires.

Tesla did not immediately react to a request for remark.

NHTSA mentioned the failure does not impact auto manage devices.

The memory manage device makes use of an Nvidia Corp Tegra three processor with an built-in 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory system, NHTSA mentioned. Nvidia did not immediately react to a request for remark.

The flash gadgets have a finite lifespan based mostly on the selection of application or erase cycles, NHTSA mentioned.

Failures resulting from memory dress in-out “are very likely to take place following intervals of progressively degraded performance (e.g., extended ability-up times, much more repeated touchscreen resets, intermittent loss of cellular connectivity, loss of navigation),” the company mentioned.