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US automobile safety regulators have opened an probe into Tesla vehicles equipped with the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches following several crashes.

Regulatory Body Finds Safety Regulation Breaches

The federal safety agency stated that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires motorists to stay alert and take control when necessary, had caused car behavior that violated road safety regulations”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA represents the first step before potentially seeking a recall of the vehicles if the agency determines they present a danger to public safety.

Alarming Incident Reports

The regulatory body stated it had received reports of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles running red lights and moving in the incorrect direction during lane switching while using the system.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, using FSD engaged, “approached an intersection with a red light, continued to travel into the crossroads against the red signal and was subsequently part of a crash with other cars in the junction”.

The authority reported that four accidents had resulted in injuries to occupants.

Additional Safety Concerns

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 complaints and one news account alleging that Tesla vehicles, operating at an junction with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stationary for the entire time of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or did not properly recognize and show the proper light status in the vehicle interface”.

Some complainants also stated that FSD “failed to give alerts of the system's intended actions as the car was coming to a red light”.

Ongoing Official Examination

The full self-driving system, 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 reduced visibility, such as sun glare, fog or dust clouds. One such accident, in 2023, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for operation by a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is ready to take over at any moment. While these capabilities are engineered to become more capable, the presently active functions do not render the car self-driving.”

Automated car systems continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and real-world testing reveals potential challenges with existing deployments.