NHTSA investigates Tesla's FSD system for traffic violations and collision incidents
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into 2.88 million Tesla vehicles equipped with the Full Self-Driving (FSD) system due to over 50 reports of traffic violations and multiple collision incidents. NHTSA pointed out that the FSD system has led to behaviors that violate traffic safety regulations, including running red lights and driving in the wrong direction. This investigation could lead to a recall process, coinciding with increased congressional scrutiny of autonomous driving technology
According to Zhitong Finance APP, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Thursday that it has launched an investigation into 2.88 million Tesla vehicles (TSLA.US) equipped with the Full Self-Driving (FSD) system. This action was triggered by over 50 reports of traffic violations and multiple collision incidents.
NHTSA pointed out that although this driver assistance feature requires drivers to remain attentive and intervene at any time, it has "resulted in vehicle behaviors that violate traffic safety regulations." Reports received by the agency indicate that Tesla vehicles with FSD activated have issues such as running red lights and driving in the wrong direction while changing lanes.
The preliminary evaluation being conducted is the first step in a potential recall process—if NHTSA determines that the vehicles pose unreasonable safety risks, a recall procedure may be initiated. According to statistics, the agency is currently reviewing 58 safety issue reports related to FSD, including 14 collision incidents and 23 cases of injuries.
This investigation comes at a time when Congress is closely scrutinizing autonomous driving technology and follows the recent appointment of NHTSA's new director on September 18. Additionally, given that Senators Ed Markey and Richard Blumenthal have mentioned an increase in reports of "near-collision incidents at railroad crossings," NHTSA stated that it will also evaluate the performance of the FSD system near railroad crossings.
Tesla began rolling out a software update for the FSD system two days ago. Notably, the last time NHTSA launched an investigation into this system was in October 2024, when it reviewed 2.4 million Tesla vehicles due to four collision incidents under low visibility conditions (including a fatal collision that occurred in 2023)
