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

Regulatory Body Finds Traffic Law Breaches

The NHTSA declared that the electric carmaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires motorists to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had “induced vehicle behaviour that breached road safety regulations”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA represents the first step before potentially seeking a withdrawal of the cars if the authority concludes they pose a risk to road safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The agency reported it had received reports of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles driving through red traffic lights and moving in the incorrect direction 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 junction with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the intersection against the red light and was subsequently involved in a crash with other cars in the intersection”.

The agency reported that four accidents had resulted in injuries to occupants.

Additional Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 complaints and one media report alleging that Tesla cars, driving through an intersection with FSD engaged, did not stay stopped for the duration of a red light, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and show the correct traffic signal state in the car's display”.

Some complainants also claimed that FSD “did not provide alerts of the technology's planned actions as the vehicle was coming to a red traffic signal”.

Ongoing Official Examination

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

In October 2024, the agency began an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla cars using FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, fog or dust clouds. One such accident, in 2023, was fatal.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “intended for operation by a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to take over at any time. While these capabilities are engineered to improve over time, the presently active functions do not render the vehicle autonomous.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with current implementations.