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US automobile safety regulators have opened an investigation into Tesla vehicles featuring the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations following several crashes.

Regulatory Body Finds Safety Regulation Breaches

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration declared that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands motorists to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had caused car behavior that violated traffic safety laws”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before potentially seeking a recall of the cars if the agency concludes they pose a risk to road safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The agency reported it had documented reports of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles running red lights and traveling in the incorrect direction during lane switching while operating the system.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla car, using FSD engaged, “came to an junction with a red traffic signal, proceeded to travel into the intersection despite the red light and was later part of a crash with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

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

Additional Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 reports and one news account alleging that Tesla cars, operating at an junction with FSD active, “failed to remain stopped for the duration of a red light, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and display the correct traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.

Some complainants also claimed that FSD “failed to give alerts of the system's planned behaviour as the car was approaching a red traffic signal”.

Continuing Official Examination

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

In October 2024, the authority began an inquiry into over two million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of poor visibility, such as sun glare, fog or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in 2023, was fatal.

Manufacturer's Official Stance

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 prepared to assume control at any time. While these features are engineered to become more capable, the currently enabled features do not render the vehicle self-driving.”

Self-driving vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with existing deployments.