The
The agency wouldn't comment beyond the letter, which is a rare step toward a public hearing and eventual legal action. Experts say the letter means that
“It's obvious to me that
Messages were left Wednesday seeking comment from
Last June, the agency opened an investigation into complaints that the giant touch screens would go dark in certain 2012 through 2018 Model S cars and 2016 through 2018 Model X
The letter says the agency has determined that the screens are defective because their computer processors have a finite number of program-and-erase cycles. NHTSA says the screens would fail in five to six years, which isn't sufficient for safety-critical features.
“The lack of a functioning windshield defogging and defrosting system may decrease the driver's visibility in inclement weather, increasing the risk of a crash,” the letter said.
In data submitted by
NHTSA also determined that the failure rate for the screens is higher than the rate for vehicles involved in prior recalls for similar problems.
“I think it's planned obsolescence, which requires physical replacement of a part which
The screen failures also can cause the loss of audible chimes and alerts that are part of Tesla’s “Autopilot” driver-assist system.
The letter says that if
Borris, who reviewed the letter, called it very thorough and said NHTSA has a strong case should
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