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US automobile safety regulators have opened an examination into Tesla vehicles featuring the full self-driving technology due to traffic-safety violations after numerous crashes.

Safety Agency Finds Traffic Law Violations

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires drivers to stay alert and intervene if needed, had “induced vehicle behaviour that violated traffic safety laws”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before possibly requesting a recall of the cars if the agency concludes they present a danger to road safety.

Alarming Incident Reports

The agency reported it had received reports of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles running red lights and moving in the incorrect way during lane changes while using the system.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, using full self-driving activated, “came to an intersection with a red light, proceeded to drive into the intersection despite the red light and was later involved in a crash with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

The agency noted that four crashes had resulted in injuries to occupants.

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA announced it has found 18 complaints and one media report claiming that Tesla cars, operating at an intersection with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stopped for the entire time of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and display the proper traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.

Several reporters also stated that FSD “failed to give alerts of the system's planned behaviour as the car was approaching a red light”.

Ongoing Regulatory Scrutiny

Tesla's FSD, which is more sophisticated than its basic autopilot feature, has been under investigation by NHTSA for twelve months.

In October 2024, the agency began an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of poor visibility, such as sun glare, mist or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in last year, was fatal.

Manufacturer's Official Stance

Tesla's website states that FSD is “intended for use with a fully attentive motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to take over at any moment. While these capabilities are designed to improve over time, the presently active features do not make the car autonomous.”

Automated car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from safety agencies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with current implementations.