Investigation Launched Over 58 Incidents
U.S. federal safety authorities have opened a formal investigation into Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature, citing dozens of reported incidents in which Tesla vehicles allegedly broke traffic laws—among them driving into oncoming lanes, running red lights, and entering intersections against signals.
The probe by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) covers about 2.9 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD.
Allegations: Wrong-Way Driving Among Key Concerns
Among the 58 incidents under review, some of the more troubling behaviors include:
- Teslas entering the opposing traffic lane during or after a turn.
- Crossing double-yellow lines when proceeding straight.
- Ignoring wrong-way signs and turning into one-way streets in the wrong direction.
- Failing to stop at intersections when signals are red.
Tesla’s FSD is marketed as a highly advanced driver assistance tool that can handle city driving, lane changes, and navigation, but with the expectation that a human driver remains attentive and ready to intervene.
What Tesla and Regulators Say
NHTSA has said its investigation aims “to assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety consequences of FSD executing driving maneuvers that constitute traffic safety violations.”
Tesla has not yet issued a public comment responding to the new probe.
In past instances, Tesla has insisted that FSD is a supervised system and drivers must stay alert.
Why This Matters
- These allegations strike at the heart of Tesla’s promise of autonomous driving. If its cars can maneuver into wrong lanes or ignore signals without warning, the safety risk is significant.
- The investigation could lead to recalls, regulatory mandates, or constraints on how Tesla markets FSD.
- It also adds to mounting scrutiny of autonomous and semi-autonomous driving systems more broadly—how well they handle edge cases, complex urban traffic, and law compliance.
- Tesla has faced multiple prior safety inquiries, including earlier probes into Autopilot and FSD in low-visibility conditions.
