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US automobile safety regulators have started an probe into Tesla vehicles equipped with the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches after multiple accidents.

Safety Agency Identifies Safety Regulation Breaches

The federal safety agency stated that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which demands drivers to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had caused car behavior that breached traffic safety laws”.

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

Alarming Incident Reports

The agency stated it had received reports of nearly 3 million Tesla cars driving through red traffic lights and moving against the wrong direction during lane switching while using the system.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, using FSD activated, “approached an junction with a red traffic signal, proceeded to travel into the intersection against the red signal and was later part of a collision with other cars in the junction”.

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

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 reports and one news account claiming that Tesla cars, operating at an junction with FSD engaged, did not stay stationary for the duration of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and display the proper traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.

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

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

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

In October 2024, the agency began an investigation into over two million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or airborne dust. One such accident, in 2023, was deadly.

Company's Stated Position

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for use with a fully attentive motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to take over at any moment. While these capabilities are designed to improve over time, the presently active functions do not render the car self-driving.”

Self-driving vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and real-world testing reveals possible issues with existing deployments.