Tesla ‘phantom braking’ complaints spur formal NHTSA probe

The agency said it is launching a preliminary investigation after receiving 354 complaints that ‘unexpected activation of braking system may cause rapid deceleration’. — AFP

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating complaints of Tesla Inc cars with Autopilot driver assist that suddenly brake at high speeds, the latest in a string of confrontations between the company and safety regulators.

The agency said it is launching a preliminary investigation after receiving 354 complaints that “unexpected activation of braking system may cause rapid deceleration”. NHTSA previously confirmed it was reviewing complains about the phenomenon, which has been dubbed “phantom braking”.