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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated an Audit Query (AQ25002) to investigate potential delays in Tesla’s compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 (SGO) reporting requirements. This inquiry, prompted by numerous late-submitted crash reports, aims to assess the cause, scope, and mitigation of these delays, ensuring Tesla’s adherence to federal regulations.
Key Highlights
- NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) identified late crash reports submitted by Tesla under SGO 2021-01.
- Reports were often submitted months after the required one- or five-day deadline.
- Tesla attributed delays to a data collection issue, which they claim is resolved.
- The Audit Query will evaluate outstanding reports and data completeness.
- Reports are accessible at NHTSA.gov/SGOCrashReporting.
Background on the Investigation
The SGO 2021-01, enforced by NHTSA, mandates timely reporting of crashes involving vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems. Tesla’s submissions, however, revealed significant delays, with some reports filed months after the incidents. These reports were submitted either in batches or on a rolling basis, raising concerns about compliance with the mandated timelines.
Tesla’s Response and NHTSA’s Actions
Preliminary discussions between ODI and Tesla indicate that the delays stemmed from a data collection issue. Tesla has reportedly addressed this problem, but NHTSA is conducting a thorough review to confirm the resolution. The Audit Query will examine the root cause of the delays, the extent of non-compliance, and the effectiveness of Tesla’s corrective measures. Additionally, NHTSA will verify if any outstanding incident reports remain and whether submitted reports include all required data.
Scope of the Audit Query
The investigation focuses on Tesla’s electrical system components and covers reports listed under specific SGO 2021-01 report IDs, such as 13781-11020-1, 13781-10844-1, and others. These reports, publicly available at NHTSA.gov/SGOCrashReporting, are critical to understanding the scope of the issue. NHTSA aims to ensure that Tesla’s reporting processes align with federal safety standards, potentially impacting future regulatory actions.
Implications for Tesla and Industry
This Audit Query underscores the importance of timely and accurate crash reporting in the automotive industry, particularly for vehicles equipped with advanced technologies. Non-compliance could lead to penalties or further scrutiny from NHTSA. For Tesla, resolving these issues is crucial to maintaining trust and ensuring the safety of its vehicles. The outcome of this investigation may also set a precedent for how manufacturers handle similar reporting obligations.
Next Steps
NHTSA’s investigation is ongoing, with a focus on verifying Tesla’s mitigation strategies and ensuring all required data is reported. The agency will continue to monitor Tesla’s compliance and may expand the scope of the inquiry if additional issues are identified. Stakeholders, including consumers and industry experts, can track updates through NHTSA’s official channels.
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