In a recent development, Tesla has been relieved of any obligation to recall its vehicles, as the federal government concluded its investigation into the “Passenger Play” feature. This feature enabled games to be played on the infotainment screen while the vehicle was in motion, raising concerns about distracted driving. The investigation, initiated in December 2021, was prompted by customer complaints suggesting that games and internet browsing, originally intended for passenger use only, could be accessed by anyone in the vehicle at any time. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) examined over half a million cars during the investigation.
During a test conducted by The Verge in late 2021, it was observed that Tesla Arcade games could be played while the vehicle was moving. Although a warning message appeared on the screen, indicating that only passengers were allowed to play while the car was in motion and requesting confirmation of passenger status, drivers could still press the button and engage in gaming while driving.
Following the announcement of the investigation, Tesla promptly released a software update that disabled the feature. Within a month, approximately 97 percent of Tesla vehicles had completed the over-the-air software update, as reported by Tesla to the NHTSA. Although the investigation has now been closed, the NHTSA maintains the possibility of future action in case any safety-related defects are discovered.
In response to the NHTSA, Tesla claimed that only a “small portion” of instances involved the active use of the Passenger Play feature while the vehicle was in motion. Among these instances, approximately one-third involved video game play without a person present in the passenger seat, implying that the driver may have interacted with the feature.
While Tesla can breathe a sigh of relief with the closure of this investigation, the company still faces ongoing safety inquiries. These include an examination of multiple crashes involving Tesla vehicles equipped with Autopilot, which collided with stationary emergency vehicles. Additionally, Tesla currently holds the top spot on the federal government’s list of crashes and fatalities involving vehicles equipped with advanced driver-assist systems.
