NHTSA Complaint #11447975 — 2018 TESLA MODEL 3

When driving with the driver assist Auto Pilot active it's possible to disengage Auto Pilot but Traffic Aware Cruise Control (TACC) remains active. When Auto Pilot is active the auto pilot system has control of the car including navigation, maintaining the lane, and speed. Speed can be set by the car or driver. In some cases disengaging auto pilot disables TACC , in other cased TACC remains active. A driver may be caught off-guard when the car continues forward at the set speed after disengaging auto pilot. This difference in behavior can surprise a driver and that puts every other driver in the area at risk. Ways to disengage Auto Pilot : 1) Press up on the right-side stalk (also used to engage TACC & Auto Pilot) on the steering column behind the steering wheel. When pressing up on the stalk Auto Pilot and TACC are both disabled. 2) Step on the brake pedal. Pressing the brake pedal disables both Auto Pilot and TACC. 3) Turn the steering wheel, for example to avoid a road hazard or a vehicle in the car's path. Turning the steering wheel only disables Auto Pilot functions, TACC remains active. The car continues to move forward at the speed Auto Pilot was using. The three disengagement methods have similar, but different outcomes. The result is a driver by moving the steering wheel can disengage Auto Pilot while cruise control remains active. This problem is compounded when considering Tesla's forward collision warning and avoidance has issues with stationary vehicles like those stopped at off ramp traffic lights or in traffic jams (this will be covered in another report). Since cruise control remains active when Auto Pilot is disengaged by turning the steering wheel is as designed there are no warnings or alerts. Several time I've had to swerve or slam the brakes to avoid contact with other cars and trucks after taking control with the steering wheel while Auto Pilot was active. This happened several times, date listed in Additional Details is near first time.