US Regulators Initiate Inquiry into Autonomous Teslas Following String of Collisions

US automobile safety regulators have opened an examination into Tesla vehicles featuring the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches after multiple crashes.

Safety Agency Finds Safety Regulation Breaches

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration declared that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which demands motorists to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had caused car behavior that violated road safety regulations”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA represents the first step before possibly requesting a recall of the vehicles if the agency concludes they present a danger to public safety.

Alarming Incident Reports

The agency reported it had documented reports of nearly 3 million Tesla cars driving through red lights and traveling in the incorrect direction during lane changes while operating the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, using full self-driving engaged, “approached an junction with a red traffic signal, proceeded to travel into the crossroads 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 injuries to occupants.

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 complaints and one news account alleging that Tesla cars, operating at an junction with FSD active, “failed to remain stopped for the duration of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and show the correct traffic signal state in the car's display”.

Several reporters also claimed that FSD “failed to give warnings of the technology's intended behaviour as the vehicle was approaching a red traffic signal”.

Continuing Official Examination

The full self-driving system, which is more advanced than its Autopilot system, has been under investigation by NHTSA for a year.

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

Company's Official Stance

Tesla's website states that FSD is “intended for use with a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is ready to assume control at any time. While these capabilities are designed to improve over time, the presently active features do not render the vehicle autonomous.”

Self-driving car systems continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals possible issues with current implementations.