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American vehicle safety authorities have commenced an investigation into Tesla cars featuring the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations after multiple crashes.

Safety Agency Finds Safety Regulation Breaches

The NHTSA declared that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands drivers to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had “induced car behavior that breached road safety regulations”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before potentially seeking a recall of the cars if the agency determines they pose a risk to road safety.

Alarming Incident Reports

The agency stated it had documented accounts of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles running red traffic lights and moving in the incorrect way during lane changes while using the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla car, operating with FSD engaged, “approached an intersection with a red traffic signal, proceeded to drive into the crossroads against the red signal and was later part of a crash with other cars in the junction”.

The agency noted that four accidents had caused one or more injuries.

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 reports and one news account claiming that Tesla vehicles, driving through an junction with FSD active, did not stay stationary for the entire time of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or did not properly recognize and display the correct traffic signal state in the car's display”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “did not provide warnings of the system's intended behaviour as the car was coming to a red light”.

Ongoing Official Examination

The full self-driving system, which is more sophisticated than its Autopilot system, has been under investigation by NHTSA for a year.

In October 2024, the agency began an investigation into over two million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four reported collisions in situations of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, fog or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in 2023, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “intended for use with a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to assume control at any time. While these capabilities are designed to become more capable, the presently active functions do not make the car self-driving.”

Automated car systems continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the systems develop and real-world testing reveals possible issues with existing deployments.