Pony.ai recall query RQ22001
Recall 22E-016. NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened this recall query about the autonomous/self driving. Opened Apr 10, 2022, closed Oct 30, 2023 after 19 months without a recall. closed
What NHTSA says
Source: Office of Defects Investigation, as filedThe Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ22-001 to evaluate the scope and remedy of Recall 22E-016. Recall 22E-016 addressed a defect causing the Automated Driving System (ADS) to shut down on a vehicle that was being operated by Pony.ai in a driverless mode. This condition resulted in a single vehicle crash on October 28, 2021. In the submitted recall report, Pony.ai identified the defect as a coding error. They also identified three (3) ADS units effected by the defect. Additionally, they stated that the relevant ADS code was revised to correct the error on the evening of the crash. Pony.ai uploaded the software to the affected units the following day. ODI sought more detailed information surrounding the failure and the failures of redundant ADS safety systems leading to the crash, and steps that Pony.ai has taken to prevent similar failures in the future. In their response, Pony.ai provided additional details regarding the origin and nature of the software error in the primary ADS unit which led to the incident and how Pony.ai became aware of the error. Pony.ai also provided details regarding errors which occurred in the installation of the redundant system installed in the incident vehicle, which led to the failure of that system. After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by Pony.ai, ODI believes that the company has properly identified both the error and the affected vehicles. The software upload completed immediately following the incident described above appears to have resolved the issue. Additionally, Pony.ai identified several process and procedural changes which they have either already undertaken, or plan to undertake, to prevent the recurrence of similar errors in the future. ODI is closing this Recall Query. NHTSA reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.
A Recall Query is a look at a recall that already exists — whether its remedy works, whether it reached every vehicle it should have, whether the manufacturer met its obligations. The summary is the agency’s own text from its investigation file, unedited; the opening and closing resumes with the full reasoning are on NHTSA’s site under this number.
What this means for an owner
Source: and what happens nextAn investigation is not a finding that a defect exists, and it puts no duty on anyone. NHTSA opens a Preliminary Evaluation when complaints and other reports suggest a condition worth asking the manufacturer about; it upgrades to an Engineering Analysis when the answers warrant testing; it closes either when it recommends a recall, when the manufacturer recalls on its own, or when no defect trend is found. The agency’s own goals are about four months for a petition, eight for a Preliminary Evaluation or a Recall Query and eighteen for an Engineering Analysis; many run longer.
This one is closed. A recall query ends with NHTSA’s finding on the recall it examined — the remedy stands, is widened, or a new campaign follows; the file names the recall it concerned and NHTSA’s closing resume carries the reasoning.
Model years it names
Source: as NHTSA filed themNHTSA filed this action against Pony.ai without naming a model year — an equipment or manufacturer-level query.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationIs RQ22001 a recall?
No. A recall query is NHTSA asking questions, not a recall. A safety recall carries an NHTSA campaign number and a duty to repair for free; this one closed without one. Whether one particular vehicle has an open recall is a VIN question at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is RQ22001 still open?
No. It closed on Oct 30, 2023 without a recall.
Which vehicles does RQ22001 cover?
NHTSA filed it against Pony.ai without naming a model year.