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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 after numerous accidents.

Regulatory Body Identifies Safety Regulation Violations

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that the automaker's autonomous driving feature, which demands drivers to stay alert and take control when necessary, had “induced vehicle behaviour that violated road safety regulations”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA represents the initial phase before possibly seeking a recall of the vehicles if the agency concludes they present a danger to public safety.

Alarming Incident Reports

The regulatory body reported it had documented reports of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles driving through red traffic lights and moving against the wrong way during lane changes while operating the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, using FSD 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 crash with other cars in the junction”.

The authority reported that four accidents had caused one or more injuries.

Further Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 complaints and one media report alleging that Tesla cars, operating at an intersection with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stationary for the entire time of a red light, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and display the correct traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.

Some complainants also claimed that FSD “did not provide alerts of the technology's intended actions as the car was approaching a red traffic signal”.

Ongoing Official Examination

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

In late 2024, the authority began an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four documented crashes in conditions of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, fog or airborne dust. One such accident, in last year, was deadly.

Company's Stated Position

Tesla's website states that FSD is “intended for operation by a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to assume control at any time. While these capabilities are designed to improve over time, the currently enabled features do not make the car self-driving.”

Self-driving vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals possible issues with current implementations.