The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is launching an investigation into alleged malfunctions in Tesla's Model S sedan. The launch of the probe comes after the road safety agency received close to a dozen complaints about the alleged premature failure of the vehicle's media-control unit.
According to the NHTSA, it will be conducting an evaluation of Tesla Model S units manufactured between 2012 and 2015. The complaints that were filed with the agency alleged that the failures in the vehicle's media-control unit caused a massive loss in functionality. This included the loss in the ability of users to use functions such as navigation, rear camera display, web browsing, vehicle information, and entertainment.
The NHTSA stated that the apparent failure of the vehicle's touch screen, fortunately, does not affect its control systems and drive train, which means that the vehicle is still drivable. In its preliminary investigation, the NHTSA found that Tesla had been using the same media control unit on its touch screen interface for is Model X units from 2016 to 2018. It estimates that more than 159,000 units could be affected.
The agency revealed that the memory control unit is equipped with a Tegra 3 processor provided by Nvidia. The unit also has an integrated 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory chip. After inspecting the units of users that had lodged complaints, the NHTSA found that the failures could be traced to a so-called memory wear-out.
This occurs when a memory chip is subjected to long periods of frequent resets, power interruptions, and other performance degrading instances. The agency points out those flash devices should have a relatively long lifespan depending on the number of erase cycles it has to go through or the number of programs running.
Some complainants have expressed concerns about the possible effects of the failed media-control unit on the rest of the vehicle's system. This includes disruptions in the safety systems, which some have posited could lead to unwanted accidents.
One complainant told the NHTSA that he was unable to clear his fogged windows at one point because he had no access to his vehicle's climate controls. Another driver complained that the failure had disabled some of his car's safety monitors, including those associated with Tesla's Autopilot driver-assistance system.
Both Tesla and Nvidia have yet to respond to the complaints. Tesla reportedly still charges customers to replace the unit but only for vehicles that have expired warranties.
