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US automobile safety regulators have started an investigation into Tesla cars equipped with the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches after several crashes.

Regulatory Body Finds Traffic Law Violations

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration declared that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which demands drivers to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had caused car behavior that violated traffic safety laws”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before possibly seeking a recall of the vehicles if the authority determines they pose a risk to road safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The regulatory body reported it had received reports of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles running red traffic lights and traveling against the wrong direction during lane switching while using the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, using FSD activated, “came to an intersection with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the crossroads despite the red signal and was later part of a crash with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

The agency noted that four accidents had resulted in one or more injuries.

Additional Safety Concerns

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 reports and one media report claiming that Tesla vehicles, operating at an intersection with FSD engaged, did not stay 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 car's display”.

Some complainants also stated that FSD “failed to give warnings of the technology's intended actions as the vehicle was approaching a red traffic signal”.

Ongoing Official Examination

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

In October 2024, the agency started an inquiry into over two million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in 2023, was fatal.

Manufacturer's Official Stance

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

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