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

Regulatory Body Identifies Safety Regulation Breaches

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that the electric carmaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires drivers to stay alert and intervene if needed, had caused car behavior that breached road safety regulations”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before potentially seeking a withdrawal of the vehicles if the authority determines they present a danger to public safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The regulatory body stated it had received reports of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles driving through red lights and traveling in the incorrect way during lane switching while using the technology.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with full self-driving activated, “came to an intersection with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the crossroads despite the red light and was subsequently involved in a collision with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

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

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 complaints and one news account alleging that Tesla cars, operating at an junction with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stopped for the duration of a red light, 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 stated that FSD “failed to give warnings of the technology's planned behaviour as the car was coming to a red light”.

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

Tesla's FSD, which is more sophisticated than its basic autopilot feature, has been being examined by NHTSA for a year.

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 sun glare, fog or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in last year, was fatal.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “designed for operation by a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to take over at any time. While these features are designed to become more capable, the currently enabled functions do not make the vehicle self-driving.”

Automated car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and real-world testing reveals potential challenges with existing deployments.