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US automobile safety regulators have started an examination into Tesla cars featuring the full self-driving technology due to safety regulation breaches following several crashes.

Safety Agency Finds Safety Regulation Violations

The NHTSA declared that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which demands drivers to stay alert and take control when necessary, had “induced car behavior that violated road safety regulations”.

This initial assessment by the NHTSA marks the initial phase before potentially seeking a withdrawal of the cars if the agency determines they pose a risk to road safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The agency reported it had documented accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla cars driving through red lights and traveling in the wrong direction during lane changes while operating the system.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with FSD engaged, “approached an intersection with a red light, continued to drive into the crossroads against the red light and was later involved in a crash with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

The authority noted that four accidents had caused injuries to occupants.

Additional Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has found 18 complaints and one media report alleging that Tesla cars, driving through an intersection with FSD engaged, “failed to remain stopped for the entire time of a red traffic signal, did not come to complete stop, or failed to accurately detect and show the correct light status in the car's display”.

Several reporters also claimed that FSD “failed to give warnings of the system's planned actions as the car was approaching a red traffic signal”.

Ongoing Official Examination

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

In October 2024, the authority began an inquiry into over two million Tesla vehicles using FSD after four reported collisions in situations of poor visibility, such as sun glare, fog or airborne dust. One such accident, in last year, was deadly.

Manufacturer's Official Stance

Tesla's website states that FSD is “intended for use with a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to assume control at any time. While these features are designed to become more capable, the currently enabled functions do not make the car self-driving.”

Automated vehicle technology continue to face growing examination from safety agencies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals possible issues with existing deployments.