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American vehicle safety authorities have opened an probe into Tesla vehicles equipped with the autonomous driving system due to traffic-safety violations after several crashes.

Regulatory Body Identifies Traffic Law Violations

The NHTSA announced that the electric carmaker's self-driving assistance system, which requires motorists to stay alert and take control when necessary, had “induced vehicle behaviour that violated road safety regulations”.

This early investigation by the NHTSA marks the first step before potentially seeking a withdrawal of the vehicles if the authority determines they pose a risk to public safety.

Alarming Case Findings

The regulatory body reported it had documented reports of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles running red traffic lights and traveling against the incorrect direction during lane changes while using the system.

NHTSA confirmed it has six reports in which a Tesla car, using full self-driving activated, “came to an intersection with a red light, continued to drive into the crossroads against the red signal and was later involved in a crash with other motor vehicles in the intersection”.

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

Additional Safety Concerns

The NHTSA announced it has identified 18 reports and one news account alleging that Tesla vehicles, driving through an intersection with FSD engaged, did not stay stationary for the duration of a red traffic signal, failed to stop fully, or failed to accurately detect and display the proper traffic signal state in the vehicle interface”.

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

Ongoing Regulatory Scrutiny

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

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

Company's Official Stance

The company's official position indicates that FSD is “designed for use with a completely alert driver, who has their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to assume control at any time. While these capabilities are engineered to become more capable, the presently active features do not make the car self-driving.”

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