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US automobile safety regulators have commenced an examination into Tesla cars featuring the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches following numerous collisions.

Safety Agency Identifies Safety Regulation Violations

The NHTSA announced that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which demands drivers to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had caused car behavior that breached road safety regulations”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA represents the first step before possibly seeking a recall of the cars if the agency determines they present a danger to road safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The agency reported it had received accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla cars driving through red traffic lights and moving in the incorrect direction during lane changes while using the technology.

NHTSA confirmed it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, using FSD engaged, “came to an intersection with a red traffic signal, proceeded to drive into the crossroads against the red light and was later part of a crash with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

The authority noted that four crashes had resulted in injuries to occupants.

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 complaints and one media report claiming that Tesla vehicles, operating at an intersection with FSD active, did not stay stopped for the duration of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and display the proper traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “did not provide warnings of the technology's planned actions as the vehicle was coming to a red traffic signal”.

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

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

In late 2024, the authority began an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in situations of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or airborne dust. One such accident, in 2023, was deadly.

Company's Stated Position

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

Automated car systems continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the technology advances and real-world testing reveals possible issues with existing deployments.