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American vehicle safety authorities have started an investigation into Tesla vehicles featuring the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations after multiple crashes.

Regulatory Body Identifies Safety Regulation Violations

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration declared that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which demands motorists to stay alert and intervene if needed, had caused car behavior that breached traffic safety laws”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA marks the first step before potentially requesting a withdrawal of the vehicles if the authority concludes they present a danger to public safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The agency stated it had received accounts of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles running red traffic lights and moving against the wrong way during lane switching while using the system.

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

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

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 complaints and one media report alleging that Tesla vehicles, operating at an intersection with FSD engaged, did not stay stopped for the entire time of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and display the correct traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.

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

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

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

In late 2024, the authority began an inquiry into over two million Tesla cars using FSD after four documented crashes in situations of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, fog or dust clouds. One such accident, in 2023, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “intended for operation by a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to take over at any time. While these features are designed to become more capable, the presently active functions do not make the vehicle self-driving.”

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