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American vehicle safety authorities have opened an examination into Tesla cars featuring the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches following multiple collisions.

Safety Agency Finds Safety Regulation Violations

The federal safety agency stated that the electric carmaker's autonomous driving feature, which requires motorists to remain attentive and take control when necessary, had caused vehicle behaviour that violated road safety regulations”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA marks the first step before possibly seeking a recall of the cars if the agency concludes they pose a risk to road safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The agency stated it had received accounts of 2.88 million Tesla cars running red traffic lights and traveling against the wrong way during lane switching while operating the technology.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with FSD engaged, “came to an junction with a red traffic signal, proceeded to drive into the intersection despite the red signal and was subsequently part of a crash with other motor vehicles in the junction”.

The authority reported that four crashes had resulted in one or more injuries.

Further Issues Identified

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

Some complainants also stated that FSD “did not provide warnings of the system's planned actions as the vehicle was approaching a red light”.

Ongoing Regulatory Scrutiny

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

In late 2024, the agency started an investigation into over two million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in situations of reduced visibility, such as bright sunlight, mist or airborne dust. One such accident, in last year, was fatal.

Manufacturer's Stated Position

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “intended for use with a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to assume control at any time. While these features are designed to become more capable, the presently active features do not make the vehicle autonomous.”

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