On Thursday, the agency formally known as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) closed its 2022 preliminary inquiry into 695,000 Teslas for sudden braking, concluding the risk to drivers was minimal and that reported incidents had dropped dramatically.
The investigation covered Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. Tesla deployed software patches in early 2022 specifically aimed at fixing unexpected deceleration. According to NHTSA, complaint numbers dropped to 45 in 2024, 19 in 2025, and just three since the start of 2026.
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The agency stated that the conditions described did not cause vehicles to shift laterally in their lanes or create dangerous gaps between the reported car and following traffic that could result in a crash.
Last week, the regulator separately wrapped up an expanded investigation into roughly 376,241 Model 3 and Model Y units concerning loss of steering control.
The closure of these two probes marks a positive regulatory outcome for Tesla. The rapid decline in unexpected braking incidents after the software updates - from hundreds to a handful - suggests the over-the-air fix was effective. The steering-control probe also concluded without further action, reducing the regulatory overhang on the automaker. Both investigations had drawn attention to Tesla's reliance on software-based solutions and the behavior of its Autopilot system, but the final findings indicate no significant safety defects were identified.
Tesla's ability to address hardware-related complaints through remote software updates has been a point of both praise and scrutiny. In this case, the dramatic fall in complaints - from 300 in the initial reporting period to just three in early 2026 - provides strong evidence that the underlying issue was correctable through code changes rather than requiring physical recalls. The NHTSA's decision to close the probe without demanding a formal recall also saves Tesla substantial costs and avoids potential reputational damage.
However, the agency noted that it will continue to monitor the vehicle fleet through its normal complaint process, meaning future issues could still trigger new investigations. For investors, the closure removes a lingering uncertainty that had weighed on Tesla's stock at times, though the company still faces other regulatory challenges, including probes into its Autopilot driver-assist system and several recall campaigns from prior years.
The sharp reduction in complaints also underscores the effectiveness of Tesla's over-the-air update strategy, which has allowed the company to resolve issues without physical service visits. While some skeptics have questioned whether software patches can fully address what may appear to be hardware-related symptoms, the data here strongly supports Tesla's approach. NHTSA's closing of the probe without issuing a formal recall avoids any admission of defect and keeps Tesla's regulatory record cleaner than it might otherwise have been.
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