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US automobile safety regulators have commenced an examination into Tesla vehicles equipped with the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations after multiple crashes.

Regulatory Body Identifies Traffic Law Violations

The NHTSA declared that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires drivers to stay alert and intervene if needed, had caused car behavior that violated traffic safety laws”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before potentially requesting a recall of the vehicles if the agency concludes they pose a risk to road safety.

Alarming Incident Reports

The agency stated it had documented accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla cars running red lights and traveling against the wrong way during lane switching while operating the system.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla car, operating with FSD engaged, “came to an intersection with a red traffic signal, proceeded to drive into the crossroads despite the red light and was later part of a crash with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

The authority noted that four accidents had caused one or more injuries.

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 complaints and one media report claiming 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 light status in the car's display”.

Several reporters also claimed that FSD “did not provide alerts of the technology's intended behaviour as the car was approaching a red light”.

Continuing Official Examination

The full self-driving system, which is more advanced than its basic autopilot feature, has been under investigation by NHTSA for twelve months.

In late 2024, the agency began an investigation into over two million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, fog or airborne dust. 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 motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to assume control at any time. While these capabilities are designed to become more capable, the currently enabled features do not render the car autonomous.”

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