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American vehicle safety authorities have opened an examination into Tesla vehicles featuring the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches after multiple collisions.

Regulatory Body Finds Safety Regulation Violations

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration declared that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires motorists to stay alert and take control when necessary, had caused vehicle behaviour that breached traffic safety laws”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before potentially seeking a withdrawal of the cars if the authority determines they pose a risk to public safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The agency stated it had received accounts of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles driving through red traffic lights and moving in the wrong direction during lane switching while operating the technology.

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

The authority noted that four crashes had caused injuries to occupants.

Additional Safety Concerns

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 reports and one media report alleging that Tesla cars, driving through an junction with FSD active, “failed to remain stopped 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”.

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

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

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

In late 2024, the agency began an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in situations of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or dust clouds. One such accident, in 2023, was fatal.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

Tesla's website states 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 features are designed to improve over time, the presently active functions do not make the vehicle self-driving.”

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