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American vehicle safety authorities have started an probe into Tesla vehicles featuring the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches after multiple crashes.

Safety Agency Identifies Traffic Law Violations

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands drivers to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had caused car behavior that violated road safety regulations”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before possibly requesting a recall of the cars if the agency determines they present a danger to public safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The regulatory body stated it had received reports of nearly 3 million Tesla cars running red traffic lights and traveling in the wrong way during lane changes while operating the system.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla car, using full self-driving activated, “approached an intersection with a red light, continued to drive into the intersection despite the red light and was later involved in a crash with other cars in the junction”.

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

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 complaints and one media report claiming that Tesla vehicles, driving through an junction with FSD active, did not stay stopped for the entire time of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and display the correct light status in the car's display”.

Some complainants also claimed that FSD “did not provide warnings of the system's planned behaviour as the vehicle was approaching a red light”.

Continuing Official Examination

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

In late 2024, the agency began an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in situations of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, fog or airborne dust. One such accident, in last year, was fatal.

Company's Stated Position

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for operation by a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to take over at any moment. While these capabilities are engineered to improve over time, the currently enabled functions do not render the car self-driving.”

Automated car systems continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the systems develop and real-world testing reveals potential challenges with current implementations.