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US automobile safety regulators have started an examination into Tesla vehicles equipped with the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations following numerous accidents.

Regulatory Body Finds Safety Regulation Violations

The NHTSA announced that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires drivers to stay alert and intervene if needed, had caused car behavior that violated traffic safety laws”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before possibly requesting a withdrawal of the vehicles if the authority concludes they present a danger to public safety.

Alarming Incident Reports

The regulatory body reported it had received reports of nearly 3 million Tesla cars running red lights and traveling against the incorrect direction during lane changes while operating the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla car, operating with full self-driving activated, “came to an intersection with a red light, proceeded to travel into the crossroads against the red signal and was subsequently involved in a collision with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

The authority noted that four crashes had resulted in one or more injuries.

Additional Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 reports and one news account alleging that Tesla vehicles, driving through an intersection with FSD engaged, did not stay stationary for the entire time of a red light, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and show the proper light status in the vehicle interface”.

Some complainants also stated that FSD “did not provide alerts of the system's planned behaviour as the car was coming to a red light”.

Ongoing Official Examination

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

In October 2024, the agency began an investigation into over two million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in situations of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in 2023, was fatal.

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 steering wheel and is prepared to take over at any moment. While these capabilities are engineered to become more capable, the currently enabled functions do not make the car autonomous.”

Automated car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with existing deployments.