NHTSA Complaint #11678676 — 2026 TESLA MODEL Y

Update to ODI 11678614. This problem applies to non-FSD (Full Self Driving) Tesla Model Y cars. Tesla's manual describes Autopilot as Traffic Aware Cruise Control - it's the first step on non-FSD cars. The second step on non-FSD cars, Autosteer, is active lane keeping. In older Ys, the first stalk pull engages autopilot, second pull engages autosteer. 2026 Juniper doesn't have a stalk - a single scroll wheel press engages both. I read the 300 page Juniper 2026 Model Y manual before driving it for the first time. On page 108, it lists 7 things that will cause autopilot to disengage. I presumed that comprehensive list was complete. unable to attach. Having *autopilot* disengage when turning the wheel in *autosteer* is not listed. During my 59K miles on my 2021 Model Y, I used autosteer for at least 20K miles. Turning the wheel in autosteer did *not* disengage autopilot. In my first emergency situation in the 2026 Juniper Model Y, turning the wheel *did* disengage autopilot, and the regen properly kicked in for the disengagement. This action came very close to causing a serious accident. My objections are 1) the action of *autopilot* (disengage / remain engaged) when the wheel is turned in *autosteer* is not documented, and 2) it's different between the old and new Ys using the same current software. I understand there were problems with autopilot remaining engaged, and perhaps the change was a good idea; that's an entirely different discussion. Make the action consistent and document it and I'm happy. Summary: In heavy traffic, while on autopilot / autosteer (cruise + active lane keeping), the car beside me suddenly tried to pull into my lane. I made an emergency lane change by turning the wheel, but the cruise also disengaged, (contrary to operation in the prior model) and went to maxiumum regen braking, causing the car behind me in the new lane to nearly rear-end me. Punching the accelerator during the surprising braking avoided the collision.