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US automobile safety regulators have commenced an probe into Tesla cars featuring the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations following several accidents.

Regulatory Body Finds Safety Regulation Breaches

The NHTSA stated that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands drivers to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had “induced car behavior that breached traffic safety laws”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before possibly seeking a recall of the vehicles if the authority concludes they pose a risk to public safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The regulatory body reported it had documented reports of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles running red lights and moving against the wrong direction during lane changes while operating the system.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla car, operating with FSD activated, “approached an intersection with a red traffic signal, proceeded to travel into the intersection despite the red light and was subsequently part of a collision with other cars in the junction”.

The authority noted that four crashes had resulted in one or more injuries.

Additional Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 reports and one media report alleging that Tesla vehicles, driving through an junction with FSD active, did not stay stationary for the entire time of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and display the correct traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “did not provide warnings of the system's intended behaviour as the vehicle was approaching a red light”.

Ongoing Official Examination

Tesla's FSD, which is more sophisticated than its Autopilot system, has been being examined by NHTSA for twelve months.

In late 2024, the agency started an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla cars using FSD after four reported collisions in situations of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, fog or dust clouds. One such accident, in last year, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

The company's official position indicates 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 designed to become more capable, the currently enabled functions do not render the car autonomous.”

Automated car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals possible issues with existing deployments.