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US automobile safety regulators have commenced an investigation into Tesla cars featuring the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches following several accidents.

Safety Agency Identifies Safety Regulation Breaches

The NHTSA announced that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires drivers to stay alert and intervene if needed, had “induced car behavior that violated traffic safety laws”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA represents the first step before possibly seeking a withdrawal of the cars if the authority determines they pose a risk to public safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The regulatory body stated it had received accounts of 2.88 million Tesla cars running red traffic lights and traveling against the incorrect way during lane changes while using the system.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla car, operating with full self-driving activated, “came to an intersection with a red light, proceeded to drive into the intersection against the red light and was later involved in a collision with other cars in the intersection”.

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

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 complaints and one news account alleging that Tesla vehicles, operating at an junction with FSD active, did not stay stopped for the duration of a red light, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and display the correct light status in the vehicle interface”.

Some complainants also stated that FSD “failed to give warnings of the technology's planned actions as the car was approaching a red traffic signal”.

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

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

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 bright sunlight, fog or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in 2023, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Official Stance

Tesla's website states that FSD is “designed for operation by a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to take over at any time. While these capabilities are designed to improve over time, the currently enabled functions do not render the car self-driving.”

Automated car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the systems develop and real-world testing reveals possible issues with existing deployments.