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American vehicle safety authorities have opened an probe into Tesla vehicles featuring the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches following multiple accidents.

Regulatory Body Identifies Traffic Law Breaches

The federal safety agency stated that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires motorists to stay alert and intervene if needed, had “induced car behavior that breached road safety regulations”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA represents the first step before possibly seeking a recall of the vehicles if the agency concludes they pose a risk to road safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The regulatory body reported it had received accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla cars running red lights and moving in the incorrect way during lane changes while using the technology.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla car, using FSD engaged, “approached an junction with a red light, continued to travel into the crossroads against the red signal and was subsequently involved in a crash with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

The authority noted that four crashes had resulted in injuries to occupants.

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 reports and one news account alleging that Tesla cars, driving through an junction with FSD active, did not stay stopped for the duration of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or did not properly recognize and display the proper traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “failed to give warnings of the technology's planned actions as the vehicle was approaching a red light”.

Continuing Official Examination

Tesla's FSD, which is more advanced than its basic autopilot feature, has been under investigation by NHTSA for twelve months.

In late 2024, the agency started an inquiry into over two million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in 2023, was fatal.

Company's Stated Position

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for operation by a fully attentive motorist, 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 currently enabled functions do not render the car autonomous.”

Self-driving car systems continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals possible issues with existing deployments.