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US automobile safety regulators have opened an investigation into Tesla cars equipped with the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches after several collisions.

Safety Agency Finds Safety Regulation Violations

The NHTSA announced that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands drivers to stay alert and take control when necessary, had caused car behavior that violated traffic safety laws”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before potentially seeking a recall of the cars if the agency concludes they present a danger to public safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The regulatory body stated it had received reports of 2.88 million Tesla cars running red lights and moving against the wrong direction during lane changes while operating the technology.

NHTSA confirmed it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, using FSD activated, “approached an intersection with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the crossroads despite the red light and was subsequently involved in a collision with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

The authority noted that four accidents had resulted in one or more injuries.

Additional Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 complaints and one media report claiming that Tesla cars, operating at an intersection with FSD active, did not stay stationary for the entire time of a red light, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and show the correct light status in the car's display”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “failed to give warnings of the technology's planned actions as the vehicle was coming to a red light”.

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

The full self-driving system, which is more advanced than its basic autopilot feature, has been under investigation by NHTSA for twelve months.

In late 2024, the agency began an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in last year, was fatal.

Company'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 steering wheel and is prepared to assume control at any time. While these features are designed to become more capable, the currently enabled features do not render the car autonomous.”

Automated car systems continue to face growing examination from regulatory bodies as the technology advances and real-world testing reveals possible issues with current implementations.