| Recurring |
one_organization |
(a) The software failure incident related to Tesla vehicles' front suspension safety issue has happened again within the same organization. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened a formal investigation into around 115,000 Tesla vehicles over front suspension safety concerns, specifically regarding the failure of the left or right front suspension fore links in Model S and Model X vehicles [Article 107823].
(b) The software failure incident related to touchscreen failures in Tesla vehicles has also occurred at the same organization. NHTSA expanded a probe into nearly 159,000 Tesla Model S and Model X vehicles due to touchscreen failures that can result in various issues, including loss of rear-camera image display, reduced rear visibility, impact on defogging ability, and issues with audible chimes related to Autopilot and turn signals [Article 107823]. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design |
(a) The article mentions a software-related issue with Tesla vehicles' front suspension, specifically the front suspension fore links. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into around 115,000 Tesla vehicles due to complaints alleging failure of the left or right front suspension fore links [107823]. This issue was linked to a manufacturing condition described in a 2017 service bulletin by Tesla, indicating that some vehicles had front fore links that did not meet Tesla strength specifications, potentially leading to link failures [107823].
(b) The article also discusses a separate software-related issue involving touchscreen failures in Tesla Model S and Model X vehicles. NHTSA opened a preliminary evaluation in June over touchscreen failures that could result in the loss of rear-camera image display, reduced rear visibility, impact defogging ability, and affect audible chimes related to Autopilot and turn signals [107823]. This issue is related to the operation of the vehicles and how the touchscreen functions during driving. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system |
(a) The software failure incident related to the Tesla vehicles' front suspension safety issue seems to be within the system. The failure was attributed to a manufacturing condition that may result in front suspension fore link failures, as mentioned in a service bulletin issued by Tesla in February 2017 [107823]. The complaints and incidents reported to NHTSA also point towards issues with the front suspension components of the vehicles, indicating an internal system failure. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions, human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident related to non-human actions:
- The article mentions a front suspension safety issue in around 115,000 Tesla vehicles, specifically 2015-2017 Model S and 2016-2017 Model X vehicles, due to a manufacturing condition that may result in front suspension fore link failures [Article 107823].
- The failure of the front suspension fore links was attributed to a manufacturing condition that did not meet Tesla strength specifications, leading to potential failures during low-speed parking maneuvers or while driving [Article 107823].
(b) The software failure incident related to human actions:
- Tesla issued a service bulletin in February 2017 describing the manufacturing condition that could lead to front suspension fore link failures, indicating a potential human error in the manufacturing process [Article 107823].
- A class-action lawsuit was filed against Tesla in the U.S. District Court in California over suspension issues in Model S and X vehicles, alleging defects that can result in premature failures of suspension control arm assembly components, suggesting potential human oversight or error in design or production [Article 107823]. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
unknown |
(a) The articles do not mention any software failure incident related to hardware issues.
(b) The articles do not mention any software failure incident related to software issues.
Therefore, based on the provided articles, there is no information available regarding software failure incidents related to either hardware or software issues. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
non-malicious |
(a) The articles do not mention any malicious software failure incidents related to the Tesla vehicles investigated by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) [107823].
(b) The software failure incidents related to Tesla vehicles investigated by NHTSA were non-malicious in nature. The failures were attributed to a front suspension safety issue, specifically concerning the front suspension fore links in certain Model S and Model X vehicles. The failures were linked to a manufacturing condition that may result in front suspension fore link failures, leading to potential contact between the tire and the wheel arch liner. Tesla issued a service bulletin in 2017 addressing this issue. Additionally, there were complaints of failures occurring during low-speed parking maneuvers and while driving, indicating a safety concern. Tesla stated that it did not believe there was a suspension defect and considered the issue "exceedingly rare" [107823]. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
unknown |
The articles do not mention any software failure incident related to poor decisions or accidental decisions. Therefore, the intent of the software failure incident in this case is unknown. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
accidental |
(a) The articles do not mention any software failure incident related to development incompetence.
(b) The articles mention a software failure incident related to accidental factors. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened a formal investigation into around 115,000 Tesla vehicles over a front suspension safety issue. The investigation was initiated after receiving 43 complaints alleging failure of the left or right front suspension fore links. Tesla had issued a service bulletin in February 2017 describing a manufacturing condition that may result in front suspension fore link failures. The agency noted that some vehicles had front fore links that did not meet Tesla strength specifications, leading to potential failures during low-speed parking maneuvers or while driving. The incidents reported an increasing trend, with some occurring at highway speeds within the last three months [107823]. |
| Duration |
unknown |
The articles do not mention any software failure incident being permanent or temporary. |
| Behaviour |
other |
(a) crash: The articles do not mention any software failure incident related to a crash where the system loses state and does not perform any of its intended functions.
(b) omission: The articles do not mention any software failure incident related to omission where the system omits to perform its intended functions at an instance(s).
(c) timing: The articles do not mention any software failure incident related to timing where the system performs its intended functions correctly, but too late or too early.
(d) value: The articles do not mention any software failure incident related to value where the system performs its intended functions incorrectly.
(e) byzantine: The articles do not mention any software failure incident related to a byzantine behavior where the system behaves erroneously with inconsistent responses and interactions.
(f) other: The articles describe a software failure incident related to a front suspension safety issue in Tesla vehicles. The failure involves the front suspension fore links not meeting Tesla strength specifications, potentially leading to link failures. This issue could be categorized as a "defect" where the system is not meeting the required specifications, leading to potential failures [107823]. |