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US automobile safety regulators have commenced an examination into Tesla vehicles equipped with the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches following multiple crashes.

Safety Agency Finds Traffic Law Violations

The NHTSA stated that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires drivers to stay alert and intervene if needed, had caused vehicle behaviour that breached traffic safety laws”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA marks the first step before potentially seeking a withdrawal of the cars if the agency concludes they present a danger to public safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The agency stated it had documented accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla cars driving through red traffic lights and traveling against the incorrect direction during lane switching while using the technology.

NHTSA confirmed it has six documented cases in which a Tesla car, using full self-driving activated, “came to an intersection with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the crossroads against the red signal and was later involved in a crash with other cars in the intersection”.

The authority reported that four accidents had resulted in one or more injuries.

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 reports and one news account alleging that Tesla vehicles, operating at an intersection with FSD active, “failed to remain stopped for the duration of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and display the correct traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “failed to give warnings of the system's planned behaviour as the car was coming to a red traffic signal”.

Ongoing Regulatory Scrutiny

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

In October 2024, the agency started an investigation into over two million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in situations of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or airborne dust. One such accident, in last year, was fatal.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “designed for use with a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is ready to assume control at any moment. While these capabilities are engineered to improve over time, the presently active functions do not render the car self-driving.”

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