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American vehicle safety authorities have commenced an probe into Tesla cars featuring the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches following numerous crashes.

Safety Agency Finds Safety Regulation Violations

The federal safety agency stated that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which demands drivers to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had caused vehicle behaviour that violated road safety regulations”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA represents the first step before potentially requesting a withdrawal of the vehicles if the agency determines they pose a risk to public safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The regulatory body stated it had received accounts of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles driving through red lights and traveling against the wrong way during lane changes while using the system.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla car, using full self-driving engaged, “came to an junction with a red traffic signal, proceeded to travel into the crossroads against the red light and was later part of a crash with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

The agency reported that four crashes had caused injuries to occupants.

Additional Safety Concerns

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 complaints and one news account alleging that Tesla cars, driving through 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 proper light status in the car's display”.

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

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

Tesla's FSD, which is more sophisticated than its basic autopilot feature, has been being examined by NHTSA for twelve months.

In October 2024, the agency began an inquiry into over two million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, fog or airborne dust. One such accident, in 2023, was fatal.

Company's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “intended for use with a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the 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 car self-driving.”

Automated car systems continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and real-world testing reveals possible issues with existing deployments.