US investigates VinFast VF 8 lane assist system

NHTSA has received 14 reports that the VF 8’s lane keeping assist system is not functioning as designed.

VinFast’s entry into the U.S. market has not been easy. The company has big plans to become a major player there, go public on Wall Street, and last year broke ground on a massive assembly plant in North Carolina.

However, the launch of the VF 9 has hit major roadblocks, with its launch delayed, the price of the existing VF 8 slashed, and the opening of its US plant pushed back from July 2024 to 2028. Now, the Vietnamese automaker faces another headache: an investigation by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI).

Read: VinFast suspends US production, plans to start in 2028

The department has received 14 reports from owners of 2023-2024 VF8 vehicles in the U.S. regarding issues with the lane keeping assist system. They claim the technology can activate erroneously and not function properly. The system also allegedly has trouble detecting lanes, provides incorrect steering inputs, and is difficult for drivers to overtake.

The investigative summary noted that improper steering inputs could increase the likelihood of a crash or injury. In one complaint, an owner claimed the system caused a crash, but ODI noted there was no evidence to support that claim.

The investigation involves approximately 3,118 VinFast VF 8s, which is roughly all the models sold in the U.S. to date. The investigation will assess the scope, frequency and severity of potential problems and determine if there are safety-related defects. If such defects are found, VinFast may be forced to recall and improve the lane keeping assist system.

Two weeks ago, VinFast announced that it had cut the price of the VF 9 in the United States by $16,000 just days before deliveries began. While the company did not provide a reason for the price cut, it is likely hoping that the price cut will lead to higher sales.