Tesla Model S accused of unintended acceleration

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration received a complaint on Tuesday for the unintended acceleration of a Tesla Model S. We haven't heard much of that term since the large Toyota recall in 2009. Before that it was with Audi in the 1980s.

According to the story relayed to NHTSA, the driver was going down a short driveway at about 5 mph with the brake consistently applied. The car suddenly accelerated, hitting a curb and ending up on a 4.5-foot retaining wall about a foot from the curb.

An service tech from Tesla said the record showed the accelerator was pressed and went from 18 percent to 100 percent pressure in a split second. According to the story, the Tesla technician said the driver was responsible, but also said that there is a safeguard that won't allow the accelerator to go beyond 92 percent.

So far this is just in the complaint phase, with a handful of steps to go before a possible recall could be initiated. We contacted Tesla for a statement and at the current time it has no official comment, but is looking into the matter.

Our problems with the Model S, which involved a stuck charger, are relayed in full detail here.

By Jake Lingeman