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US automobile safety regulators have started an probe into Tesla vehicles equipped with the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches after multiple accidents.

Safety Agency Finds Safety Regulation Breaches

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration declared that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands motorists to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had caused vehicle behaviour that breached traffic safety laws”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA marks the first step before possibly seeking a withdrawal of the cars if the authority determines they present a danger to road safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

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

NHTSA confirmed it has six documented cases in which a Tesla car, operating with FSD engaged, “approached an junction with a red light, continued to travel into the crossroads against the red light and was subsequently involved in a collision with other cars in the intersection”.

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

Additional Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 reports and one media report alleging that Tesla vehicles, operating at an junction with FSD engaged, did not stay stopped for the duration of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and display the correct traffic signal state in the car's display”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “failed to give alerts of the system's planned actions as the vehicle was approaching a red light”.

Continuing Official Examination

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

In late 2024, the agency began an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in situations of poor visibility, such as sun glare, fog or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in 2023, was fatal.

Manufacturer's Official Stance

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for operation by a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to assume control at any time. While these capabilities are engineered to improve over time, the currently enabled functions do not render the car autonomous.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals possible issues with existing deployments.