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American vehicle safety authorities have opened an probe into Tesla cars equipped with the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations following several accidents.

Safety Agency Finds Safety Regulation Violations

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

This early investigation by the NHTSA represents the first step before potentially seeking a recall of the cars if the agency determines they pose a risk to road safety.

Alarming Incident Reports

The agency stated it had documented accounts of 2.88 million Tesla cars running red traffic lights and moving against the incorrect direction during lane switching while operating the system.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla car, operating with full self-driving engaged, “came to an junction with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the intersection despite the red signal and was later involved in a collision with other cars in the intersection”.

The authority noted that four crashes had resulted in one or more injuries.

Additional Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 complaints and one news account alleging that Tesla vehicles, operating at an junction with FSD engaged, did not stay stationary for the duration of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and display the proper light status in the car's display”.

Several reporters also claimed that FSD “did not provide warnings of the system's planned behaviour as the vehicle was approaching a red traffic signal”.

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

The full self-driving system, which is more advanced than its Autopilot system, has been being examined by NHTSA for twelve months.

In October 2024, the agency started an inquiry into over two million Tesla cars using FSD after four reported collisions in situations of poor visibility, such as sun glare, fog or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in 2023, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

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

Self-driving car systems continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals possible issues with current implementations.