As reported by CNBC, it seems that Tesla is in trouble. The mentioned media outlet has revealed that Elon Musk’s electric vehicle company is under investigation by the California Attorney General’s office for issues related to the company’s vehicle autopilot system and allegations of deceptive advertising.
The lawsuits filed against Tesla claim that the autopilot system in these vehicles occasionally brakes unexpectedly, which can lead to dangerous situations on the road. This issue has been referred to as “phantom braking,” and when it occurs, the affected cars come to a sudden stop, regardless of their location. Clearly, this can result in accidents involving other vehicles.
Tesla and its autopilot face new problems
As it has been revealed, it appears that the affected Tesla model is the Tesla Model 3, specifically when its autopilot feature is activated. One of the plaintiffs, named Greg Webster, who reported the problem to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2022, provided his testimony to CNBC, which prompted the California Attorney General’s office to reach out to him to learn more about his experience.
Currently, the California Attorney General’s office has not denied the possibility of initiating an investigation against Tesla in this case. At least, that’s what they acknowledged in a statement. They stated, “To protect its integrity, we cannot comment on, confirm, or deny any potential or ongoing investigation.”
Greg Webster’s testimony indicates that he feels deceived by Tesla, as he claims that the company’s marketing led him to believe that he had a vehicle with functionalities that would make it fully autonomous. According to what the plaintiff shared with CNBC, he purchased Tesla’s premium package for hundreds of thousands of dollars, expecting advanced features, but instead, he encountered the so-called “phantom braking” issue.
“Tesla should offer customers the option of a full refund for autopilot features if they are dissatisfied with the product,” complained Webster. “We bought a fully autonomous product and received a driver-assist product with partial autonomy.” With this potential case, Tesla is facing yet another legal battle due to its autopilot system, adding to an increasingly significant list of legal challenges the company is facing.
