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US automobile safety regulators have opened an probe into Tesla cars featuring the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations following multiple crashes.

Regulatory Body Finds Safety Regulation Violations

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires motorists to stay alert and take control when necessary, had caused car behavior that breached road safety regulations”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA marks the first step before potentially requesting a recall of the cars if the agency concludes they pose a risk to road safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The agency reported it had documented reports of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles running red traffic lights and traveling in the incorrect way during lane switching while operating the system.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with FSD activated, “approached an junction with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the crossroads despite 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 Issues Identified

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 complaints and one news account alleging that Tesla vehicles, driving through an junction with FSD engaged, did not stay stopped for the entire time of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or did not properly recognize and display the proper light status in the vehicle interface”.

Some complainants also stated that FSD “failed to give warnings of the technology's intended actions as the vehicle was approaching a red traffic signal”.

Ongoing Regulatory Scrutiny

Tesla's FSD, which is more advanced than its basic autopilot feature, has been being examined by NHTSA for a year.

In October 2024, the authority started an investigation into over two million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of poor visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or airborne dust. One such accident, in 2023, was deadly.

Company's Official Stance

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for operation by a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to assume control at any time. While these features are designed to become more capable, the presently active features do not render the car self-driving.”

Automated car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the technology advances and real-world testing reveals possible issues with existing deployments.