Following the tragic death of US shipping magnate Angela Chao, concerns have resurfaced regarding design flaws in Tesla vehicles that may lead to accidental reversals. Chao, 50, sister-in-law to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, drowned last month after inadvertently backing her Tesla into a pond.
The incident occurred as Chao was departing a gathering at a ranch outside Austin. Reports from The Wall Street Journal indicate that while attempting a routine three-point turn in her Tesla Model X SUV, Chao mistakenly shifted the vehicle into reverse instead of drive, causing it to veer over an embankment and into the pond.
Tesla owners have long voiced apprehensions regarding potential design inadequacies and apparent malfunctions, which sometimes result in unintended reversals. According to records, numerous complaints were filed by Tesla owners, citing confusion surrounding the gearshift mechanism and instances where cars purportedly switched between drive and reverse without warning.
Among these grievances, seven complaints specifically highlighted confusion arising from the gearshift’s design, which occasionally led drivers to engage the wrong gear. Additionally, five complaints detailed incidents where vehicles autonomously transitioned between drive and reverse.
This issue has not only been documented in formal complaints but has also been a topic of discussion within Tesla forums. In one instance from 2022, a Tesla owner recounted accidentally shifting into reverse multiple times within two years of owning the vehicle. Another owner shared a similar experience, narrowly avoiding an accident due to confusion over the gearshift’s operation.
However, in the broader context of Tesla’s known technical issues, concerns over reverse shifting appear relatively minor. A federal database, where 12 concerns related to reverse shifting were identified, contains a total of 4,228 complaints pertaining to various Tesla-related issues.
Moreover, Tesla vehicles have undergone scrutiny for other safety concerns, notably “phantom braking” incidents, where vehicles equipped with autopilot suddenly apply brakes erroneously, potentially endangering occupants and other road users.
Despite these concerns, Tesla has remained silent on the matter, declining to respond to inquiries from Business Insider. Similarly, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, responsible for investigating vehicle defects, has not commented on the issue.
The complexity of the matter is exacerbated by the varying gearshift mechanisms found in different Tesla models and years. Prior to late 2021, Tesla drivers engaged reverse by depressing the brake pedal and manipulating a gear stalk, a process that some found confusing, especially as it overlapped with the action to disengage autopilot mode in certain models.
Subsequent to late 2021, Tesla introduced a touch screen gearshift system in newer models, which has also sparked complaints. Drivers can shift into reverse by manipulating an icon on the center console, a process that some find counterintuitive and potentially hazardous.
Amidst mounting concerns, Tesla owners have urged for enhanced safety measures, such as software modifications to prevent unintended gear shifts or clearer visual and auditory indicators to signal gear engagement.
As investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding Angela Chao’s tragic accident, questions persist regarding the adequacy of Tesla’s vehicle design and the effectiveness of existing safety features.
