No Tesla Recall In Europe Despite US Safety Concerns, Says Dutch Authority

In a recent update, the Dutch vehicle authority, RDW, confirmed it would not be recalling Tesla Inc. TSLA vehicles in Europe, contrary to recent actions in the United States due to concerns over Tesla’s Autopilot driver assistance systems.

What Happened: The RDW announced on Friday, as reported by Reuters, that it would not be recalling Tesla vehicles in Europe, despite the large-scale recall in the U.S. over concerns about the Autopilot systems.

The RDW, the body responsible for safety approval of Tesla vehicles in Europe, highlighted differences in the Autopilot functions available in the European and U.S. markets. The agency said it is in regular communication with Tesla.

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The U.S. recall, Tesla’s most substantial to date, was sparked by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) findings that drivers may not be sufficiently attentive when the system’s automatic steering functions are engaged, potentially raising the risk of accidents.

An RDW representative outlined variances in the specific features allowed at level 2 automation in the U.S. and Europe, with Europe complying with U.N. standards. Tesla’s steering functions in Europe are assessed against UN rules, not U.S. regulations.

Other disparities noted by the spokesperson included the methods of driver monitoring and the warnings provided to the driver when the system is misused. Tesla has responded to the U.S. recall by stating its intent to update software with additional controls and alerts to ensure drivers’ attention when using steering-assist functions.

Why It Matters: This development follows a massive recall by Tesla in the U.S., where over 2 million vehicles were recalled due to concerns over the Autosteer feature’s controls being insufficient to prevent misuse. The recall includes high-end Models S and X, as well as the lower-end Model 3 and Y vehicles manufactured between 2012 and 2023.

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