Brand-new Tesla vehicles are experiencing self-driving computer failures, which are resulting in significant problems. Inside sources say that the problem is contributing to overwhelming Tesla’s service.
Over the last few weeks, Electrek has received several reports from new Tesla buyers claiming computer failures on brand-new cars.
We have been investigating the problem, and based on insider sources and documents that we obtained, we can now explain the issue in more detail.
The problem is linked to a new version of Tesla’s HW4 (sometimes called AI4) onboard self-driving computer. Internally, some refer to the new version as AI4.1. The computers are short-circuiting. The cause is still being investigated, but one source told Electrek that one of the possible causes is the low-voltage battery short-circuiting the computer during the camera calibration process.
Tesla drivers are reporting computer failures after driving off with their brand-new cars over just the first few tens to hundreds of miles. Wide-ranging features powered by the computer, like active safety features, cameras, and even GPS, navigation, and range estimations, fail to work.
Insider sources told Electrek that the problem is quite wide-ranging. It affects vehicles built over the last few months with the new computer.
Two sources said that Tesla is currently receiving a high number of complaints about this issue, and it has yet to release a service bulletin about it. One source said that Tesla service is being told to play down any safety concerns related to this problem to avoid people believing their brand-new cars are not drivable.
The issue arose at the end of the year when Tesla is trying to deliver a record number of vehicles to avoid its whole year down in deliveries – a first in a decade.
It’s unclear if Tesla reported the issue to NHTSA despite the fact that the broken rear-view camera goes against federal safety regulations, which should force a recall.
At the moment, the main remedy being discussed is a computer replacement, but Tesla is also looking to push a software patch to help temporarily.
Tesla service is currently being overwhelmed by the issue, and Tesla is pushing service appointments to next year.
Electrek’s Take
Top comment by FC
I’ve actually seen several posts on the Model Y subreddit in the past month where people have experienced this failure. One guy’s post I read said he had the computer replaced, went to pick it up, and as he was leaving the parking lot the new one failed. He had no camera views, no parking distance estimations, no AP. The car was only a few weeks old. The second replacement computer has held for the last two weeks last I read.
I am not hating here. This is a significant issue that customers should be aware of. It is significant enough that several inside sources decided to reach out about it, and many customers are complaining about the issue.
It is worrying that Tesla has not issued a service bulletin about it, and Tesla service is told to downplay the problem at the end of the quarter.
I would expect NHTSA to issue a recall here, and Tesla could be in trouble for downplaying an issue that has been going on for weeks, but I don’t think that’s going to happen considering what the Trump transition team, in which Tesla CEO Elon Musk is greatly involved, is signaling to the federal agency.
We are in for an interesting few years regarding auto safety in the US.
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