NHTSA Denial of Defect Petition: Tesla Pedal Misapplication Recall Request

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), through its Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), has formally denied a petition submitted by Costas Lakafossis requesting a mandatory recall of all Tesla vehicles produced from 2013 to the present. The petitioner argued that the design of Tesla's operator controls differs significantly from those of traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, and that these differences increase the risk of drivers misapplying the pedals, leading to sudden unintended acceleration (SUA) incidents. After reviewing the petitioner's submission, data provided by Tesla, and information already within NHTSA's own files, the agency concluded that the conditions described in the petition do not constitute evidence of a safety defect in the subject vehicles. NHTSA found no sufficient basis to support a finding that a defect exists that relates to motor vehicle safety. This denial means no recall will be initiated against Tesla vehicles on the grounds of pedal misapplication or sudden unintended acceleration as described in this petition. Tesla vehicles from 2013 onward remain unaffected by any mandatory corrective action stemming from this specific complaint.

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