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US automobile safety regulators have started an examination into Tesla cars featuring the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations following several collisions.

Safety Agency Finds Safety Regulation Violations

The NHTSA announced that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands drivers to stay alert and intervene if needed, had “induced car behavior that violated road safety regulations”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before possibly seeking a withdrawal of the cars if the authority concludes they pose a risk to road safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The agency reported it had documented accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles running red traffic lights and moving in the incorrect direction during lane switching while using the system.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, using FSD activated, “came to an intersection with a red light, proceeded to drive into the intersection against the red light and was later part of a crash with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

The agency reported that four accidents had caused one or more injuries.

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 complaints and one media report claiming that Tesla cars, operating at an intersection with FSD active, “failed to remain stopped for the entire time of a red traffic signal, 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 stated that FSD “did not provide alerts of the technology's planned actions as the vehicle was approaching a red traffic signal”.

Continuing Official Examination

Tesla's FSD, which is more advanced than its basic autopilot feature, has been under investigation by NHTSA for a year.

In October 2024, the agency began an investigation into over two million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four documented crashes in situations of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in last year, was fatal.

Manufacturer's Official Stance

Tesla's website states that FSD is “intended for operation by a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to assume control at any moment. While these capabilities are engineered to improve over time, the presently active features do not make the car autonomous.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals possible issues with existing deployments.