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US automobile safety regulators have opened an investigation into Tesla cars featuring the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches after several collisions.

Safety Agency Identifies Traffic Law Breaches

The federal safety agency stated that the automaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires motorists to stay alert and intervene if needed, had caused vehicle behaviour that violated traffic safety laws”.

This preliminary evaluation by the NHTSA marks the first step before possibly requesting a recall of the vehicles if the agency determines they pose a risk to road safety.

Concerning Case Findings

The agency reported it had received reports of 2.88 million Tesla vehicles running red traffic lights and traveling against the incorrect way during lane changes while operating the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla car, using full self-driving activated, “approached an junction with a red traffic signal, continued to travel into the intersection against the red signal and was later involved in a crash with other cars in the intersection”.

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

Additional Safety Concerns

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 reports and one news account alleging that Tesla vehicles, driving through an junction with FSD active, “failed to remain stationary for the entire time of a red light, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and display the proper light status in the vehicle interface”.

Several reporters also claimed that FSD “did not provide alerts of the system's planned behaviour as the car was approaching a red light”.

Ongoing Official Examination

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

In October 2024, the authority started an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla cars using FSD after four reported collisions in situations of poor visibility, such as sun glare, fog or dust clouds. One of these collisions, in last year, was fatal.

Manufacturer's Official Stance

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for use with a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to take over at any time. While these features are designed to improve over time, the presently active functions do not render the vehicle autonomous.”

Self-driving car systems continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the technology advances and practical implementation reveals potential challenges with existing deployments.