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American vehicle safety authorities have opened an probe into Tesla cars featuring the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches following several collisions.

Safety Agency Identifies Traffic Law Breaches

The federal safety agency declared that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires drivers to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had “induced vehicle behaviour that violated road safety regulations”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA represents the first step before possibly requesting a recall of the cars if the agency determines they present a danger to road safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The regulatory body reported it had received accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles driving through red traffic lights and traveling against the incorrect way during lane switching while operating the technology.

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

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

Additional Safety Concerns

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 reports and one news account alleging that Tesla cars, driving through an junction with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stopped for the duration of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and display the proper traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.

Some complainants also claimed that FSD “did not provide alerts of the system's planned actions as the car was coming to a red traffic signal”.

Continuing Official Examination

The full self-driving system, which is more sophisticated than its Autopilot system, has been being examined by NHTSA for a year.

In late 2024, the agency began an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla cars using FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or airborne dust. One of these collisions, in 2023, was fatal.

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 prepared to assume control at any time. While these capabilities are designed to improve over time, the presently active functions do not make the car autonomous.”

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