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US automobile safety regulators have opened an probe into Tesla cars featuring the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches after multiple accidents.

Safety Agency Finds Traffic Law Breaches

The federal safety agency announced that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands motorists to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had “induced vehicle behaviour that breached traffic safety laws”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA represents the first step before possibly requesting a recall of the vehicles if the agency determines they present a danger to public safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The regulatory body reported it had documented accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla cars running red traffic lights and traveling against the incorrect way during lane changes while using the technology.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with FSD activated, “approached an junction with a red traffic signal, continued to travel into the intersection despite the red signal and was later involved in a crash with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

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

Additional Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 reports and one media report claiming that Tesla vehicles, driving through an junction with FSD active, did not stay stationary for the duration of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and show the correct light status in the car's display”.

Several reporters also claimed that FSD “did not provide warnings of the system's planned behaviour as the vehicle was approaching a red light”.

Continuing Official Examination

Tesla's FSD, which is more sophisticated than its Autopilot system, has been being examined by NHTSA for twelve months.

In late 2024, the authority started an investigation into over two million Tesla cars using FSD after four reported collisions in situations of poor visibility, such as sun glare, mist or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in 2023, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “intended for operation by a completely alert 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 vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals possible issues with existing deployments.