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US automobile safety regulators have commenced an probe into Tesla vehicles featuring the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches following several accidents.

Safety Agency Finds Safety Regulation Breaches

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that the electric carmaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires motorists to stay alert and intervene if needed, had caused vehicle behaviour that breached traffic safety laws”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA marks the first step before potentially requesting a recall of the cars if the authority concludes they pose a risk to road safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The regulatory body reported it had received accounts of 2.88 million Tesla cars running red traffic lights and moving in the wrong direction during lane changes while operating the system.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla car, operating with full self-driving engaged, “came to an intersection with a red light, proceeded to travel into the intersection against the red light and was subsequently part of a collision with other cars in the junction”.

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

Additional Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 complaints and one news account claiming that Tesla vehicles, operating at an junction with FSD active, “failed to remain stationary for the duration of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or did not properly recognize and show the proper traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.

Several reporters also claimed that FSD “failed to give alerts of the system's intended actions as the vehicle was coming to a red light”.

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

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

In late 2024, the authority began an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in situations of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, mist or dust clouds. One such accident, in 2023, was deadly.

Company's Stated Position

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for use with a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to assume control at any time. While these features are engineered to become more capable, the currently enabled functions do not make the car autonomous.”

Automated car systems continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with existing deployments.