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US automobile safety regulators have opened an examination into Tesla vehicles featuring the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches following numerous crashes.

Safety Agency Finds Traffic Law Breaches

The federal safety agency stated that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which demands motorists to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had caused car behavior that violated road safety regulations”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before potentially seeking a withdrawal of the vehicles if the authority determines they present a danger to public safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The agency stated it had received reports of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles running red lights and traveling in the incorrect way during lane switching while using the system.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, using full self-driving activated, “approached an intersection with a red traffic signal, proceeded to drive into the intersection despite the red light and was subsequently part of a collision with other cars in the intersection”.

The authority noted that four crashes had caused injuries to occupants.

Additional Safety Concerns

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 reports and one news account alleging that Tesla vehicles, operating at an intersection with FSD active, did not stay stationary for the entire time of a red light, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and show the correct light status in the car's display”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “did not provide warnings of the technology's intended behaviour as the vehicle was approaching a red traffic signal”.

Continuing Official Examination

Tesla's FSD, which is more sophisticated than its Autopilot system, has been under investigation by NHTSA for twelve months.

In October 2024, the authority started an investigation into over two million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in situations of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or dust clouds. One such accident, in 2023, was fatal.

Company's Stated Position

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for use with a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to assume control at any time. While these capabilities are engineered to become more capable, the presently active functions do not make the vehicle autonomous.”

Automated car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals possible issues with existing deployments.