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US automobile safety regulators have opened an investigation into Tesla cars featuring the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations after several accidents.

Regulatory Body Finds Safety Regulation Breaches

The NHTSA stated that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires motorists to stay alert and intervene if needed, had caused car behavior that violated road safety regulations”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA marks the first step before potentially seeking a withdrawal of the cars if the authority concludes they pose a risk to public safety.

Alarming Incident Reports

The regulatory body stated it had documented reports of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles running red traffic lights and traveling in the wrong direction during lane changes while operating the system.

NHTSA confirmed it has six documented cases in which a Tesla car, using full self-driving activated, “approached an junction with a red traffic signal, continued to travel into the crossroads against the red light and was later part of a collision with other cars in the intersection”.

The authority reported that four crashes had caused one or more injuries.

Additional Safety Concerns

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 complaints and one media report claiming that Tesla vehicles, driving through an junction with FSD active, “failed to remain stationary for the entire time of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or did not properly recognize and show the proper light status in the car's display”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “failed to give alerts of the system's intended actions as the vehicle was approaching a red traffic signal”.

Ongoing Regulatory Scrutiny

The full self-driving system, which is more sophisticated than its Autopilot system, has been under investigation by NHTSA for a year.

In late 2024, the agency began an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in 2023, was fatal.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for use with a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to assume control at any moment. While these features are designed to improve over time, the currently enabled functions do not make the vehicle self-driving.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with current implementations.