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US automobile safety regulators have opened an investigation into Tesla vehicles featuring the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations following numerous crashes.

Regulatory Body Identifies Traffic Law Violations

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that the electric carmaker's autonomous driving feature, which demands motorists to stay alert and intervene if needed, had caused car behavior that breached traffic safety laws”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA represents the first step before potentially requesting a recall of the cars if the agency concludes they pose a risk to public safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The agency stated it had received accounts of 2.88 million Tesla cars running red lights and moving in the wrong direction during lane changes while using the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with FSD activated, “approached an intersection with a red traffic signal, proceeded to travel into the intersection despite the red signal and was later involved in a collision with other motor vehicles 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 media report claiming that Tesla cars, driving through an intersection with FSD engaged, “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 proper traffic signal state in the car's display”.

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

Ongoing Regulatory Scrutiny

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

In late 2024, the agency began an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in 2023, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for operation by a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is ready to take over at any moment. While these capabilities are designed to become more capable, the presently active functions do not make the car autonomous.”

Automated car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with current implementations.