Tesla recalls 11,700 EVs after glitch in software

DETROIT — Tesla has issued a recall that automatically sent a software update fixing a safety problem in its electric vehicles, apparently heading off a looming confrontation with U.S. safety regulators.

But recall documents posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website Tuesday don’t address another safety issue specified by the agency when it demanded that Tesla explain why it wasn’t doing recalls for safety-related software updates done over the internet.

The recall covers 11,704 Teslas with a glitch in the “Full Self-Driving” software that can make the cars stop for no reason. The company’s paperwork says the problems with automatic emergency braking can increase the risk of other vehicles hitting Teslas from behind.

A public recall allows owners to ensure repairs are done and that people buying cars know of potential safety problems.

The recall covers all four Tesla models — the S, X, 3 and Y. Tesla documents say a software update sent Oct. 23 introduced the glitch.

On Oct. 12, regulators sent a letter to Tesla demanding to know why the company didn’t recall its vehicles when it sent a software update to fix a problem with its Autopilot partially automated driving system. The update addressed detection of emergency vehicles parked on roads while crews responded to crashes.

The NHTSA opened an investigation of Autopilot in August after getting reports of a dozen crashes into emergency vehicles. The investigation covers 765,000 vehicles. Of the dozen crashes that are part of the probe, 17 people were injured and one was killed.

The NHTSA had not posted any documents detailing Tesla’s response.