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US automobile safety regulators have opened an investigation into Tesla cars featuring the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches after several collisions.

Safety Agency Finds Safety Regulation Violations

The NHTSA stated that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands drivers to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had “induced vehicle behaviour that breached traffic safety laws”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA represents the first step before possibly requesting a recall of the cars if the authority concludes they present a danger to road safety.

Concerning Incident Reports

The agency stated it had documented reports of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles running red lights and traveling against the wrong way during lane changes while operating the technology.

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

The agency reported that four crashes had resulted in one or more injuries.

Further Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 complaints and one news account alleging that Tesla vehicles, driving through an intersection with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stationary for the duration of a red light, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and show the correct light status in the vehicle interface”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “did not provide alerts of the technology's planned actions as the car was approaching 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 late 2024, the agency began an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in 2023, was fatal.

Manufacturer's Official Stance

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

Self-driving vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals possible issues with current implementations.