WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has begun an investigation of General Motors’ Cruise LLC-built self-driving vehicles following incidents of hard braking and vehicle immobilization, at least two of which resulted in injuries.
The vehicles in question are operated by Cruise as self-driving robotaxis in San Francisco.
According to the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) Resume of investigation PE 22-014, two of the three reported hard-braking incidents resulted in injuries. Each incident resulted in the Cruise vehicle suddenly stopping and being struck by an approaching vehicle from behind.
In addition, NHTSA reported numerous complaints of Cruise vehicles becoming immobilized while in automated-driving system (ADS) mode without the ability for human intervention.
In both types of incidents, the Cruise vehicles – modified Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles — might strand its passengers and/or become an obstacle for other vehicles. The investigation covers the 242 Bolts and represents the first step in what might lead to a full recall.
Earlier this year Cruise recalled its robotaxis (as reported by The BRAKE Report) following a during which the passenger was injured. In that case, the Bolt was making a left turn when it did not yield to an oncoming vehicle and was struck. Cruise made modifications in the ADS following the crash.
