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US automobile safety regulators have opened an investigation into Tesla cars equipped with the autonomous driving system due to safety regulation breaches after numerous accidents.

Safety Agency Finds Safety Regulation Violations

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration declared that the electric carmaker's autonomous driving feature, which demands motorists to remain attentive and intervene if needed, had caused vehicle behaviour that violated traffic safety laws”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA represents the first step before potentially seeking a recall of the cars if the authority determines they present a danger to road safety.

Alarming Incident Reports

The regulatory body reported it had documented accounts of nearly 3 million Tesla cars running red lights and moving against the incorrect way during lane switching while operating the technology.

NHTSA stated it has six documented cases in which a Tesla vehicle, operating with full self-driving activated, “approached an junction with a red traffic signal, continued to drive into the crossroads against the red light and was subsequently part of a crash with other cars in the junction”.

The agency reported that four crashes had caused injuries to occupants.

Additional Issues Identified

The NHTSA stated it has identified 18 reports and one media report claiming that Tesla cars, operating at an intersection with FSD engaged, did not stay stationary for the entire time of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or did not properly recognize and show the proper light status in the vehicle interface”.

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

Continuing Regulatory Scrutiny

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

In late 2024, the agency started an investigation into over two million Tesla cars equipped with FSD after four reported collisions in conditions of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, fog or airborne dust. One such accident, in last year, was fatal.

Company's Stated Position

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for operation by a completely alert motorist, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is ready to assume control at any time. While these capabilities are designed to become more capable, the presently active functions do not render the car self-driving.”

Self-driving car systems continue to face increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies as the systems develop and practical implementation reveals possible issues with current implementations.