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US automobile safety regulators have opened an investigation into Tesla vehicles featuring the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations following multiple collisions.

Regulatory Body Identifies Safety Regulation Violations

The NHTSA stated that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires drivers to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had “induced vehicle behaviour that violated road safety regulations”.

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

Alarming Case Findings

The agency reported it had received accounts of 2.88 million Tesla cars driving through red traffic lights and traveling against the incorrect way during lane changes while using the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla car, using full self-driving engaged, “approached an junction with a red light, continued to travel into the intersection despite the red signal and was subsequently part of a crash with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

The agency noted that four accidents had caused injuries to occupants.

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 complaints and one media report alleging that Tesla cars, driving through an junction with FSD active, “failed to remain stationary for the entire time of a red light, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and show the proper light status in the car's display”.

Some complainants also claimed that FSD “failed to give warnings of the system's planned actions as the vehicle was coming to a red traffic signal”.

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

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

In October 2024, the agency began an inquiry into over two million Tesla cars using FSD after four reported collisions in situations of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, mist or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in 2023, was deadly.

Company's Official Stance

Tesla's website states that FSD is “designed for use with a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to assume control at any time. While these capabilities are designed to become more capable, the currently enabled functions do not make the vehicle autonomous.”

Automated car systems continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals possible issues with current implementations.