Vinfast's CEO confesses that the electric vehicle they were driving suddenly took control of steering, narrowly avoiding a collision against a wall.

Vinfast, the Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer, has announced a recall of every single VF 8 electric SUV sold in the US. The recall is a result of an unnerving safety issue involving the SUV's driver-assist system, specifically the Lane Keeping Assist (LKA).

The problem arises from inconsistent steering dynamics caused by how torque ratios were tuned across the ADAS system of the VF 8. This has led to reports of the LKA constantly tugging back to the center, becoming impossible to disable, and leaving drivers fearful of driving the car at all. Some drivers have described genuinely frightening moments while driving the VF 8, including instances where the steering wheel jerked so hard it nearly put them into a concrete wall.

Regulators have pushed for the recall due to concerns about the safety issue. In fact, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) had previously opened a probe into the VF 8's LKA system due to concerns about the safety issue. No specific number of close calls or incidents were mentioned in the paragraph, but the issue has been the subject of complaints. No crashes have been reported related to the issue, but it is a relief that no accidents have occurred.

To address the issue, Vinfast is rolling out a free software update for the VF 8 electric SUV. The software update, scheduled for October 31, 2025, aims to reduce steering vibration and make overriding inputs easier. However, it does not address the issue of the LKA delivering improper steering inputs or struggling to detect lanes properly.

The recall for the affected VF 8 electric SUVs will begin three days earlier. Owner notifications for the software update will be sent out on October 24, 2024. The software update will also slow the handoff from automation back to the driver.

It is worth noting that the problem was first identified in 14 complaints about VF 8 Lane Assist steering erratically in 2024. The safety issue has caused the steering corrections to be so forceful that drivers struggle to override them.

Vinfast itself initiated the plan to fix the steering assistance system error in the VF 8 with this software update. The company is committed to ensuring the safety and confidence of its drivers. The recall is a testament to Vinfast's dedication to addressing any issues that may arise and ensuring the safety of its customers.

Vinfast's CEO confesses that the electric vehicle they were driving suddenly took control of steering, narrowly avoiding a collision against a wall.