- NHTSA closes investigation into VinFast VF8 Lane Keep Assist performance.
- Recall No. 25V-559 issued to correct unsafe steering behavior in sweeping curves.
- Software update refines ADAS responsiveness and driver override behavior.
- ODI found no link between the LKA defect and a fatal crash under review.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has closed its investigation (PE24025) into alleged lane-keeping issues in Model Year 2023–2024 VinFast VF8 vehicles following a recall issued by the manufacturer. The investigation, opened on September 10, 2024, examined reports of unexpected lane departures and improper steering corrections while the Lane Keep Assist (LKA) system was active.
Findings from NHTSA Testing
NHTSA’s Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) replicated owner-reported issues using a 2024 VF8 and identified two key problem areas:
- Abrupt steering force shifts during sweeping curves that could cause unintended overcorrection by the driver.
- Incorrect LKA steering inputs that could direct the vehicle toward or across lane boundaries, raising the risk of collision.
A total of 17 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) were reviewed as part of the investigation.
Recall Details and Software Fix
On August 27, 2025, VinFast initiated Recall No. 25V-559, citing a safety-related defect in the LKA system. The corrective action involves a software update that aims to:
- Reduce steering wheel vibration when the driver assistance system is engaged.
- Improve driver override capability, allowing smoother manual control.
- Enhance transition behavior between active and inactive LKA modes to prevent unintended maneuvers.
With this recall underway, NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has formally closed Preliminary Evaluation PE24025, while noting that it may reopen the case if new evidence emerges.
Fatal Crash Review
ODI also reviewed a fatal crash (VOQ #11585817) involving a VF8 that departed the roadway at high speed. However, investigators determined the incident’s conditions were not consistent with the steering behaviors observed in VRTC testing. The Event Data Recorder (EDR) was destroyed in the crash, leaving the root cause unresolved. ODI stated it will continue monitoring for additional data related to this case.
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