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American vehicle safety authorities have started an investigation into Tesla vehicles featuring the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches following multiple crashes.

Regulatory Body Identifies Safety Regulation Breaches

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that the electric carmaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires drivers to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had caused car behavior that violated traffic safety laws”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before possibly seeking a withdrawal of the cars if the authority concludes they pose a risk to public safety.

Alarming Incident Reports

The agency reported it had received reports of 2.88 million Tesla cars driving through red traffic lights and moving in the incorrect direction during lane changes while operating the system.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla car, operating with FSD engaged, “approached an junction with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the intersection despite the red light and was later involved in a collision with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

The agency noted that four crashes had caused one or more injuries.

Additional Issues Identified

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

Several reporters also claimed that FSD “failed to give warnings of the system's planned actions as the vehicle was coming to a red traffic signal”.

Continuing Official Examination

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

In late 2024, the authority began an inquiry into over two million Tesla cars using FSD after four reported collisions in situations of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, mist or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in 2023, was deadly.

Company's Official Stance

Tesla's website states that FSD is “designed for use with a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to assume control at any moment. While these features are designed to become more capable, the currently enabled features do not render the vehicle self-driving.”

Automated car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals possible issues with current implementations.