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US automobile safety regulators have started an probe into Tesla vehicles featuring the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations following several crashes.

Safety Agency Finds Safety Regulation Violations

The NHTSA declared that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires drivers to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had “induced vehicle behaviour that violated road safety regulations”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before possibly requesting a withdrawal of the cars if the authority concludes they pose a risk to public safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The regulatory body reported it had received reports of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles running red lights and traveling against the incorrect way during lane switching while using the technology.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with full self-driving activated, “came to an junction with a red light, continued to drive into the intersection against the red signal and was subsequently part of a collision with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

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

Additional Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 complaints and one media report claiming that Tesla cars, operating at an intersection with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stationary for the duration of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and display the correct light status in the vehicle interface”.

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

Ongoing Official Examination

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

In late 2024, the agency started an inquiry into over two million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in situations of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in 2023, was deadly.

Company's Stated Position

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for use with a fully attentive motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to assume control at any time. While these features are designed to improve over time, the currently enabled features do not render the car self-driving.”

Automated car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies as the systems develop and real-world testing reveals possible issues with existing deployments.