Federal Investigation into Tesla’s Self-Driving Tech

Federal regulators are currently looking into around 3 million Tesla vehicles following reports of crashes linked to the company’s self-driving technology.

On Thursday, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that it is examining accidents involving Tesla cars. Some incidents included failures to stop at red lights or, more alarmingly, vehicles driving against traffic, which may lead to collisions and injuries.

This investigation marks another chapter in an ongoing effort to scrutinize Elon Musk’s electric car company, which has been under federal investigation for over three years.

The NHTSA stated that it is concentrating on 58 incidents that have resulted in 14 crashes and 23 injuries.

This preliminary investigation could potentially lead to a recall if any issue threatening public safety is uncovered.

Specifically, 2,882,566 of the vehicles under review are equipped with Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” (FSD) feature, designed to handle driving tasks while ensuring the driver remains attentive.

In many instances highlighted by the NHTSA, drivers reported that Tesla didn’t provide sufficient warnings regarding unexpected vehicle behavior.

“This review will evaluate the system’s capability to alert drivers about upcoming operations, the time allowed for driver response, the FSD’s ability to recognize and convey traffic signals effectively, and its responsiveness to lane markings and wrong-way signs,” noted the NHTSA.

The agency will also explore how “fully autonomous driving” functions when approaching railroad crossings.

Previously, the NHTSA was already investigating “full self-driving” in about 2.4 million Teslas after the feature was implicated in four accidents, including a tragic incident in 2023.

This earlier study investigated how the feature performs under reduced visibility conditions.

The NHTSA has also been examining Tesla’s “Smart Summon” feature since January, which allows users to remotely move a parked vehicle to their location.

Elon Musk has emphasized the importance of the FSD feature for Tesla’s future business strategy.

As of now, Tesla has not responded to inquiries regarding this latest investigation.

According to its website, the company states that both autopilot and “full self-driving” features are meant for use by a fully alert driver who should always keep their hands on the wheel and be prepared to take control if needed.

Last year, Musk implemented a “strict requirement” where all potential Tesla buyers in North America are required to undergo a “full self-driving” demonstration before they can receive their vehicle.