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US automobile safety regulators have commenced an probe into Tesla cars featuring the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches following several crashes.

Regulatory Body Finds Traffic Law Breaches

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration declared that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands drivers to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had caused car behavior that violated traffic safety laws”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA marks the first step before possibly seeking a recall of the vehicles if the agency concludes they pose a risk to road safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The agency reported it had received accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla cars running red lights and moving against the wrong direction during lane switching while using the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla car, operating with FSD engaged, “approached an junction with a red traffic signal, proceeded to travel into the intersection against the red signal and was later part of a collision with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

The authority reported that four accidents had caused injuries to occupants.

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 reports and one news account alleging that Tesla cars, operating at an intersection with FSD active, did not stay stationary for the duration of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and show the correct light status in the car's display”.

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

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

Tesla's FSD, 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 conditions of poor visibility, such as sun glare, 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 “intended for use with a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is ready to take over at any time. While these features are designed to improve over time, the currently enabled features do not render the vehicle self-driving.”

Self-driving car systems continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with current implementations.