- cross-posted to:
- technology@lemmy.world
- cross-posted to:
- technology@lemmy.world
A report by the NHTSA claims that instances of sudden unintended acceleration (SUA) in Tesla vehicles are real and not solely driver error, but this should be taken with a healthy amount of skepticism. The document suggests that fluctuations in Tesla’s low-voltage system can be misinterpreted as full acceleration commands due to a suspected fault in the vehicle’s inverter design. A high current demand from the steering assist system, powered by the 12-volt system, could cause a drop in voltage, which, if coinciding with a recalibration, may result in a faulty calibration equivalent to maximum acceleration. However, this theory has only been substantiated by open-source research on Tesla Model 3’s inverter design and deliberate experimentation. Additionally, the researchers’ proposed solutions to the issue - adding a second 12-volt supply line or adjusting the calibration routine software - seem overly simplistic and warrant further scrutiny. The report claims this issue affects all Tesla models, yet provides little direct evidence to substantiate this broad claim.