As reported, from 2015 to March 2022, the company received at least 23,000 complaints regarding autopilot functions. Handelsblatt editor-in-chief Sebastian Mattes said a 12-person team reviewed and evaluated the files for six months.

exposure details

The data paints a picture of the electric car pioneer, which appears to have far more technological challenges than previously known. For example, with autopilot. Tesla files contain thousands of reports of complications in the operation of driver assistance systems. Complaints about Tesla cars suddenly braking at full speed. Or suddenly accelerates,
– Writes Mattes.

During this period, the automaker received:

• 2,400 reports of self-acceleration issues.
• 1,500 cases of problems with the braking function.
• The second included 139 complaints about unintended emergency braking and 383 phantom stop complaints due to false collision warnings.

The files contain more than 1,000 accident reports and a spreadsheet of 3,000 incidents where drivers have raised concerns about the safety of Tesla’s driver assistance system. While most of the reported incidents occurred in the US, there were some complaints from vehicle owners in Europe and Asia.

In addition to detailing thousands of security complaints, the files reportedly included instructions for employees on how to contact customers. They were ordered not to copy and paste incident reports into emails or text messages, and not leave information in the form of voicemail recordings. They can only communicate information to customers verbally.

Reporters were unable to get a comment from Tesla as the company ignored all requests. Instead, Tesla’s litigation counsel, Joseph Alm, told Handelsblatt that data was stolen and similar media reports based on the leaked information are unacceptable without “exceptional circumstances”. In a comment to Electrek, Alm also said the company believes “a disgruntled ex-employee” used his access to steal data despite a signed confidentiality agreement. This anonymous employee awaits trial.