US automobile safety regulators have opened an investigation into Tesla vehicles equipped with its full self-driving (FSD) technology following a series of crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said the system had induced behaviour that violated traffic safety laws, including driving through red traffic lights and against the direction of travel during lane changes.
The preliminary evaluation is the first step before potentially seeking a recall if the vehicles are deemed a safety risk. NHTSA reported six incidents where Teslas with FSD engaged entered intersections against red lights, resulting in crashes. Four of these crashes caused injuries.
The agency identified 18 complaints and one media report alleging that Teslas with FSD failed to stop at red lights, stop fully, or accurately display traffic signal states. Some complainants said the system did not warn of its intended behaviour as the vehicle approached a red light.
FSD, which is more advanced than Tesla's Autopilot, has been under investigation for a year. In October 2024, NHTSA began an inquiry into 2.4 million vehicles with FSD after four collisions in reduced visibility, one of which was fatal in 2023.
Tesla's website states that FSD requires a fully attentive driver with hands on the wheel, ready to take over at any moment, and that the features do not make the vehicle autonomous. Tesla did not respond to a request for comment.
