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US automobile safety regulators have commenced an investigation into Tesla vehicles equipped with the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations after several collisions.

Safety Agency Finds Safety Regulation Violations

The NHTSA announced that the electric carmaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires motorists to stay alert and intervene if needed, had caused car behavior that violated road safety regulations”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before potentially requesting a recall of the cars if the authority determines they pose a risk to public safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The agency stated it had documented reports of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles running red lights and moving against the incorrect direction during lane changes while using the system.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla car, using full self-driving activated, “approached an intersection with a red traffic signal, continued to travel into the crossroads against the red light and was subsequently part of a crash with other cars in the junction”.

The authority noted that four accidents had caused injuries to occupants.

Additional Safety Concerns

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 complaints and one media report alleging that Tesla cars, operating at an junction with FSD active, “failed to remain stopped for the entire time of a red light, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and show the correct light status in the vehicle interface”.

Some complainants also claimed that FSD “did not provide alerts of the system's planned behaviour as the car was coming to a red light”.

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

Tesla's FSD, which is more sophisticated than its Autopilot system, has been under investigation by NHTSA for twelve months.

In October 2024, the authority started an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in situations of poor 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 motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to take over at any moment. While these features are designed to improve over time, the currently enabled functions do not make the vehicle autonomous.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals possible issues with existing deployments.