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American vehicle safety authorities have commenced an investigation into Tesla vehicles featuring the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations following numerous crashes.

Safety Agency Finds Safety Regulation Violations

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires motorists to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had caused vehicle behaviour that violated traffic safety laws”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before potentially requesting a recall of the cars if the agency determines they pose a risk to public safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The agency stated it had documented accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla cars driving through red lights and moving in the wrong way during lane changes while operating the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla car, operating with FSD engaged, “came to an intersection with a red traffic signal, proceeded to drive into the crossroads against the red light and was later involved in a collision with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

The agency reported that four accidents had caused injuries to occupants.

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 complaints and one news account claiming that Tesla vehicles, operating at an intersection with FSD active, did not stay stationary for the entire time of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and display the correct traffic signal state in the car's display”.

Some complainants also claimed that FSD “did not provide warnings of the technology's intended behaviour as the car was approaching a red traffic signal”.

Ongoing Regulatory Scrutiny

Tesla's FSD, which is more sophisticated than its basic autopilot feature, has been being examined by NHTSA for a year.

In October 2024, the authority started an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla cars using FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or dust clouds. One such accident, in 2023, was fatal.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “intended for operation by a fully attentive motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is ready to take over at any time. While these capabilities are engineered to become more capable, the presently active features do not render the vehicle autonomous.”

Self-driving car systems continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the technology advances and real-world testing reveals possible issues with current implementations.