Federal Regulators Launch Investigation into Tesla's 'Full Self-Driving' System Over Traffic Violations
Tesla's 'Full Self-Driving' (FSD) system is once again under scrutiny, as the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a comprehensive investigation. This probe targets nearly three million Tesla vehicles equipped with the FSD feature, following a series of alarming reports detailing traffic safety violations. The regulatory body is particularly concerned about instances where the autonomous driving technology has reportedly failed to adhere to traffic laws, raising significant questions about its reliability and impact on public safety.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) publicly announced its investigation into Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) assistance system on a recent Thursday. This inquiry encompasses a substantial number of Tesla vehicles, specifically 2.88 million units, all of which are equipped with the FSD technology. The core concern revolves around a pattern of reported traffic safety violations attributed to these vehicles.
According to the NHTSA's findings, there are 58 documented incidents involving Tesla vehicles operating with FSD engaged that exhibited traffic safety issues. These incidents include 14 reported crashes and 23 resulting injuries, highlighting the severity of the alleged malfunctions. The nature of these violations is varied and concerning, ranging from FSD-enabled Teslas failing to stop at red lights to navigating against the flow of traffic during lane changes.
A more detailed breakdown of the complaints reveals 18 instances where Tesla vehicles, while using FSD, either did not remain stopped for the entire duration of a red traffic signal, failed to come to a complete stop, or inaccurately displayed the correct traffic signal status to the driver. Furthermore, six specific cases describe FSD-equipped Teslas approaching an intersection with a red light, proceeding directly into it against the signal, and subsequently being involved in collisions with other vehicles.
One Tesla owner from Houston shared their experience with the NHTSA, reporting that their FSD-enabled Tesla frequently struggles with traffic signal recognition. This driver noted that the vehicle often drives through red lights and paradoxically stops at green ones, underscoring the system's inconsistent and potentially dangerous behavior. The NHTSA's investigation will also extend to assessing the performance of FSD-equipped Teslas at railroad crossings, another critical safety area.
While Tesla's FSD system requires drivers to maintain vigilance and be prepared to intervene, the NHTSA's initial assessment suggests that the technology has, in certain circumstances, compelled vehicles to act in ways that contravene established traffic safety laws. This finding, also reported by The Guardian, reinforces the seriousness of the current investigation.
This latest inquiry marks a critical stage, potentially serving as a precursor to a mandatory recall of Tesla vehicles featuring the FSD system. It is not the first time the NHTSA has scrutinized Tesla's autonomous driving capabilities. A separate investigation was initiated in October 2024, focusing on FSD's performance under conditions of reduced roadway visibility. That previous probe was prompted by four reported crashes involving FSD, one of which tragically resulted in a fatality. Additionally, the U.S. agency contacted Tesla over the summer following the emergence of videos depicting Tesla robotaxis in Austin, Texas, openly violating traffic regulations.