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US automobile safety regulators have started an investigation into Tesla vehicles featuring the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches following multiple crashes.

Safety Agency Finds Traffic Law Breaches

The federal safety agency declared that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands drivers to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had caused car behavior that violated road safety regulations”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA represents the first step before possibly seeking a recall of the cars if the authority concludes they present a danger to public safety.

Alarming Incident Reports

The agency stated it had documented reports of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles running red traffic lights and moving against the incorrect way during lane switching while using the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla car, using FSD engaged, “came to an intersection with a red traffic signal, continued to travel into the intersection against the red signal and was later part of a crash with other cars in the junction”.

The authority reported that four accidents had resulted in one or more injuries.

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 complaints and one news account alleging that Tesla cars, operating at an intersection with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stationary for the entire time of a red light, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and show the proper traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.

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

Ongoing Official Examination

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

In late 2024, the agency began an investigation into over two million Tesla cars using FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, fog or airborne dust. One such accident, in last year, was fatal.

Manufacturer's Official Stance

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for use with a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to take over at any moment. While these features are designed to become more capable, the currently enabled functions 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.