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US automobile safety regulators have opened an probe into Tesla cars featuring the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches after several crashes.

Safety Agency Finds Safety Regulation Violations

The federal safety agency announced that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires motorists to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had caused car behavior that violated traffic safety laws”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before possibly seeking a recall of the vehicles if the agency determines they present a danger to road safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The regulatory body reported it had received reports of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles running red lights and traveling against the incorrect way during lane changes while using the technology.

NHTSA confirmed it has six documented cases in which a Tesla car, using FSD activated, “approached an junction with a red light, continued to drive into the intersection against the red light and was subsequently involved in a crash with other cars in the junction”.

The agency reported that four crashes had resulted in injuries to occupants.

Additional Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 reports and one news account alleging that Tesla cars, driving through an intersection with FSD active, did not stay stationary for the duration of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and display the proper light status in the car's display”.

Some complainants also stated that FSD “did not provide alerts of the system's intended behaviour as the vehicle was approaching a red traffic signal”.

Ongoing Official Examination

The full self-driving system, which is more sophisticated than its basic autopilot feature, has been being examined by NHTSA for twelve months.

In late 2024, the agency started an investigation into over two million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in situations of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, mist or airborne dust. One such accident, in last year, was deadly.

Company's Official Stance

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for operation by a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to take over at any time. While these features are designed to become more capable, the presently active features do not render the vehicle autonomous.”

Self-driving car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the systems develop and real-world testing reveals potential challenges with existing deployments.