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Tesla Autopilot Crashes of 2016: Driver Error or System Fault?
In May and June 2016 several Tesla owners said their cars had crashed by themselves. In each case Tesla's logs pointed to driver error. The same weeks brought the first widely reported fatal Autopilot crash. That case started a safety debate that led to a recall of about two million cars in December 2023.
Key takeaways
- May 2016: a Model S using Summon hit a trailer; Tesla said the owner had activated the feature.
- June 2016: a days-old Model X hit a building; Tesla's logs showed the accelerator pressed fully.
- 30 June 2016: US regulators disclosed a fatal May crash of a Model S on Autopilot.
- December 2023: Tesla recalled 2,031,220 cars in the USA to add driver-attention checks.
The two Tesla Autopilot crashes of 2016
Autopilot arrived in October 2015 as a software update for cars with Mobileye-based hardware.
In May 2016 a Model S owner used Summon, which moves a parked car without a driver aboard. Its windscreen struck a trailer that overhung its path. Tesla said the owner had started Summon himself.
In June 2016 a Model X only five days old crashed into a building while parking. The owner said it accelerated on its own. Tesla replied that its data showed the car moving at about 10 km/h when the accelerator pedal was pressed fully. Cruise control and Autopilot were off.
According to the old 1cars report, the driver had light burns to her hands.
What the logs could and could not show
| Claim | Tesla's answer | What the logs proved |
|---|---|---|
| Model S moved by itself (May 2016) | Summon started by the owner | A command was given; not whether the owner meant it |
| Model X accelerated by itself (June 2016) | Accelerator floored, Autopilot off | Pedal position and system status |
| Autopilot failed to see a truck (May 2016, fatal) | Driver must stay attentive | The system did not brake for the trailer |
The fatal crash was different, because Autopilot was switched on.
The fatal crash and the response
The fatal crash took place in Williston, Florida, in May 2016, when a Model S on Autopilot drove under a semi-trailer crossing the road. The US safety regulator NHTSA disclosed it on 30 June 2016. In July 2016 the camera supplier Mobileye ended its partnership with Tesla.
In September 2016 a software update made more use of the radar, which Elon Musk said would very likely have prevented the Florida crash. Tesla's own Hardware 2 followed in October 2016. In January 2017 NHTSA closed its first review, reporting that crash rates fell by almost 40 % after Autosteer was installed. A later analysis in 2019 called that conclusion not well founded.
From the 2016 crashes to the 2023 recall
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| October 2015 | Autopilot 7.0 released |
| May–June 2016 | Summon, Model X and fatal Florida crashes |
| January 2017 | NHTSA reports a 40 % lower crash rate |
| December 2023 | Recall of 2,031,220 cars to add alerts and checks |
| April 2024 | NHTSA links Autopilot to at least 467 of 956 crashes reviewed |
By our calculation, NHTSA's 2024 review tied Autopilot to about 49 % of the crashes it examined. The 2023 recall, an over-the-air update, added stronger alerts and suspended Autopilot for drivers who kept ignoring warnings. Tesla disagreed with NHTSA's findings but agreed to it. The company's background is in the history of Tesla.
What it means for drivers: our view
Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (Supervised) are driver-assistance systems, and the driver stays responsible. The 2016 logs protected Tesla when drivers erred, but they also showed that the system could miss a crossing trailer.
If you are choosing between a used Tesla Model S and a Tesla Model X, check that the 2023 recall update is installed. Compare them with the comparison tool and see more models in the electric cars section.
FAQ
Was Autopilot to blame for the Tesla crashes of 2016?
Not in the two parking incidents. Tesla's logs showed that Summon had been activated and that a Model X driver had floored the accelerator. In the fatal Florida crash Autopilot was active and did not brake for a crossing trailer.
When was the first fatal Tesla Autopilot crash?
The widely known case happened in Williston, Florida, in May 2016, and NHTSA disclosed it on 30 June 2016. An earlier fatal crash in China in January 2016 was reported in the USA only later that year.
What did the December 2023 Tesla recall change?
It was an over-the-air update for 2,031,220 cars in the USA. It added clearer alerts, extra checks away from motorways and suspension of Autopilot for drivers who repeatedly ignore warnings.
Is Tesla Autopilot self-driving?
No. Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (Supervised) assist the driver, who must watch the road and be ready to take over. Tesla added "Supervised" to the name of its advanced system in April 2024.
