Tesla’s Consumer Reports Rating Drops Due To Brake Software Issue

Tesla is running into some hot water with Consumer Reports over a failure to update the software for certain versions of the Model S and Model X. The update in questions would have enabled automatic emergency braking for Model S and Xs build since October of last year.

Other vehicles with Automatic Emergency Braking have received higher score due to the implementation of the feature. Consumer Reports believes that having an ASEB system reduces the likelihood of crashes and serious injuries.

After being assured by Tesla that Consumer Reports’ test car would have AEB enabled by the end of 2016, the publication dropped Model S scored from 87 to 85, no longer ranking it as the best of seven luxury cars. The Model X dropped from 58 to 56, putting it near the bottom of luxury midsize SUVs.

https://twitter.com/ConsumerReports/status/857383798715154433

Jake Fisher, director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center says:

“When we purchased our latest test car, we were assured automatic emergency braking would be enabled by the end of 2016…We’ve been waiting for this important safety feature, which is standard equipment on much cheaper cars.”

A spokesperson from Tesla has stated that the update addressing AEB has begun:

“Automatic Emergency Braking and other safety features are a top priority, and we plan to introduce them as soon as they’re ready. We believe it would be morally wrong and counterproductive to our goal of improving consumer safety to release features before they’re ready, and we believe our customers appreciate that.”

Consumer Reports has stated that when the update occurs, they will review both the Model S and Model X and amend the reviews as necessary.

SOURCE: Consumer Reports