Investigations
Recall 22E-016
NHTSA Recall Query RQ22001 — closed, opened 2022-04-10.
NHTSA investigation RQ22001 is a Recall Query opened on 2022-04-10 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2023-10-30 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Recall Query like RQ22001 evaluates whether a previously issued recall is actually fixing the problem. NHTSA opens an RQ when owners continue to report the original defect after the recall remedy is installed, or when completion rates fall short of the agency's expectations for that risk tier.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "The 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 ve..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time.
Investigation Summary
The 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.
About This Investigation Type
A Recall Query (RQ) evaluates the effectiveness of a previously issued recall. NHTSA opens an RQ when consumer complaints suggest that a recall remedy may not be adequately addressing the safety issue, or when the recall completion rate appears insufficient.
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.