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

Safety Agency Finds Traffic Law Violations

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires motorists to stay alert and intervene if needed, had caused car behavior that breached traffic safety laws”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA represents the first step before potentially seeking a recall of the vehicles if the authority determines they present a danger to public safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The regulatory body stated it had documented reports of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles driving through red lights and moving against the incorrect direction during lane switching while operating the system.

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

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

Additional Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 complaints and one media report alleging that Tesla vehicles, operating at an intersection with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stationary for the entire time of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and display the proper light status in the car's display”.

Several reporters also claimed that FSD “failed to give warnings of the system's intended behaviour as the vehicle was coming to a red traffic signal”.

Ongoing Official Examination

The full self-driving system, which is more sophisticated than its Autopilot system, has been under investigation by NHTSA for twelve months.

In October 2024, the authority started an investigation into over two million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, mist or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in 2023, was deadly.

Company's Official Stance

Tesla's website states that FSD is “designed for use with a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to assume control at any moment. While these capabilities are engineered to become more capable, the presently active features do not render the car self-driving.”

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