Tesla's Autopilot recall remedy is deemed "insufficient" by Consumer Reports

Kelly Funkhouser, the associate director of vehicle technology at the nonprofit organization, revealed to TechCrunch that she has found a way to cover the cabin camera while using Autopilot, effectively allowing drivers to disable one of the car's primary methods for monitoring their attention to the road.
Furthermore, Funkhouser noted that she did not observe any discernible differences when engaging or using Autopilot's flagship feature, Autosteer, outside of the controlled-access highways where Tesla specifies the software is intended for use.
While the testing conducted so far is not exhaustive, it raises lingering questions about Tesla's approach to driver monitoring, which is at the core of the recent recall.
Consumer Reports, known for its critical evaluations of both Tesla's technology and vehicles, plans to conduct more extensive testing in the coming weeks. Funkhouser clarified that they have not yet assessed other changes, such as the introduction of more conspicuous visual alerts on the Model 3 sedan and Model Y SUV, as they have only received the over-the-air software update on their Model S sedan.
Tesla has also implemented a suspension policy that deactivates Autopilot for one week if "improper usage" is detected. Funkhouser reported that she did not encounter this suspension policy during two drives, each lasting between 15 and 20 miles.
The recall announced recently, impacts over 2 million cars in the U.S. and Canada and coincides with a two-year investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The investigation primarily focuses on the Autosteer feature, designed to keep a car centered in a lane on controlled-access highways, even navigating curves.
Tesla instructs drivers to maintain attention on the road and keep their hands on the wheel while using Autosteer, a torque sensor in the steering wheel, and, in newer cars, an in-cabin camera to monitor compliance. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently expressed dissatisfaction with these checks, deeming them "insufficient to prevent misuse."
While Tesla does not limit Autosteer to controlled-access highways, drivers can activate it on other roads as long as specific conditions are met. As part of the recall, NHTSA mandated Tesla to implement "additional checks upon engaging Autosteer and while using the feature outside controlled access highways and when approaching traffic controls."
Concerns arose among some owners that Tesla might restrict Autosteer to controlled-access highways, similar to how Ford and General Motors treat their Blue Cruise and SuperCruise systems. Some even discussed potential methods, such as disconnecting Tesla's cellular or Wi-Fi radios, to avoid the update.
However, tests conducted by Funkhouser indicate that such drastic measures may not be necessary. Despite Tesla's statement in the release notes about the camera's enhanced ability to determine driver inattentiveness and provide audible alerts, Funkhouser notes that the language is identical to when cabin camera monitoring was initially introduced in 2021. Additionally, changes mentioned in the release notes regarding increased strictness in driver attentiveness requirements during Autosteer and approaching traffic lights were not noticeable in her preliminary testing.
The lack of specificity in Tesla's communication makes it unclear whether or to what extent the company modified the camera's ability to monitor driver attentiveness in the update. NHTSA declined to comment, directing inquiries to Tesla, which no longer maintains a press department.
Funkhouser remarked, "None of this is very prescriptive or explicit in terms of what it is they’re going to [change]."