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US automobile safety regulators have opened an investigation into Tesla cars featuring the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches following multiple accidents.

Safety Agency Identifies Safety Regulation Violations

The federal safety agency stated that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires drivers to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had caused car behavior that breached road safety regulations”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA marks the first step before possibly requesting a recall of the vehicles if the agency determines they pose a risk to public safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The regulatory body reported it had documented accounts of 2.88 million Tesla cars running red lights and traveling against the wrong way during lane switching while operating the technology.

NHTSA confirmed it has six documented cases in which a Tesla car, using full self-driving activated, “approached an junction with a red light, proceeded to drive into the crossroads against the red light and was subsequently involved in a crash with other cars in the junction”.

The agency noted that four crashes had caused one or more injuries.

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 reports and one news account alleging that Tesla cars, operating at an intersection with FSD active, “failed to remain stationary for the entire time of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and display the proper light status in the vehicle interface”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “failed to give alerts of the system's planned behaviour as the car was approaching a red light”.

Continuing Official Examination

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

In late 2024, the authority started an investigation into over two million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in last year, was fatal.

Company's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “intended for operation by a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is ready to assume control at any moment. While these features are engineered to become more capable, the presently active functions do not render the vehicle autonomous.”

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