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US automobile safety regulators have commenced an probe into Tesla vehicles featuring the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches after several crashes.

Regulatory Body Finds Traffic Law Violations

The NHTSA declared that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which demands drivers to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had caused car behavior that violated road safety regulations”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before possibly seeking a withdrawal of the vehicles if the authority concludes they present a danger to public safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The regulatory body stated it had documented accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla cars running red traffic lights and moving against the incorrect way during lane changes while using the system.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with full self-driving activated, “approached an junction with a red traffic signal, proceeded to travel into the intersection despite the red signal and was later involved in a collision with other cars in the junction”.

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

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 reports and one media report claiming that Tesla vehicles, driving through an junction with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stopped for the duration of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and display the correct traffic signal state in the car's display”.

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

Ongoing Regulatory Scrutiny

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

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

Manufacturer's Official Stance

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for operation by a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to take over at any time. While these capabilities are engineered to improve over time, the currently enabled functions do not render the car autonomous.”

Self-driving car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with current implementations.