What Is Tesla Phantom Braking? Why Is Tesla Getting Sued?
Tesla has been sued numerous times over the past few years, and one of the reasons for these lawsuits is a phenomenon known as “phantom braking.” But what is phantom braking, and why is Tesla getting sued for it?
Phantom braking is the term used to describe an unexpected and sudden slow down of a Tesla vehicle when there is no obstacle or object present in front of the car. This can happen at high speeds, which can be dangerous for drivers and passengers alike. The phenomenon has been reported by many Tesla owners, and it has been the subject of lawsuits against the company.
Tesla’s Autopilot technology uses a variety of sensors to detect obstacles and objects on the road, and the software is designed to slow down or stop the car when necessary to avoid collisions. However, these sensors can sometimes be triggered by objects that are not actually obstacles, such as bridges or overpasses, and cause the vehicle to slow down unexpectedly.
Phantom braking has been a concern for Tesla owners since the company released its Autopilot feature a few years ago. Some owners have reported experiencing sudden braking while driving on highways or in other situations where they were traveling at high speeds. This can be dangerous, as it can cause accidents or near-misses with other vehicles.
Because of these incidents, Tesla has faced several lawsuits over the years, with owners of its vehicles claiming that the company’s Autopilot technology is defective and unsafe. In 2019, a class-action lawsuit was filed against the company over phantom braking incidents, with owners claiming that the issue was caused by a firmware update to the cars’ Autopilot software.
Tesla has maintained that its Autopilot technology is safe and effective, and that any issues with phantom braking are rare and can be easily addressed. The company has issued software updates to address the issue, but owners continue to report incidents of sudden braking.
In conclusion, phantom braking is a serious issue that has caused concern among Tesla owners and has led to lawsuits against the company. While Tesla maintains that its Autopilot technology is safe, owners continue to report incidents of unexpected slowdowns while driving, and the issue remains a cause for concern.