The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into Tesla’s fully autonomous driving technology after receiving reports that the software was causing people to run red lights or cross into the wrong lanes.
The investigation, which identified more than 50 reports of such violations (four of which resulted in injuries), is one of the first to specifically target Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) driver assistance software. NHTSA previously opened an investigation into FSD in October 2024 after receiving reports of accidents in low visibility conditions.
The federal safety agency closed an investigation into Tesla’s less efficient autopilot system in April 2024 after identifying 13 fatal accidents linked to improper use of this software. A separate investigation into the effectiveness of the fix Tesla provided to Autopilot remains open.
The new investigation was opened the same week Tesla released the latest version of the software, which CEO Elon Musk spent months touting. This new version is said to incorporate training data acquired by Tesla during its limited robotaxi pilot project, currently underway in Austin, Texas.
The safety agency’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) said Thursday it had received at least 18 complaints and one news article alleging that Tesla’s FSD software failed to stop the car or remain stopped at red lights. Additionally, ODI said it identified six Tesla reports under the agency’s Standing General Accident Reporting Order (SGO), which requires companies to submit information on accidents involving self-driving or partially self-driving cars.
ODI said it has already worked with the Maryland Transportation Authority and its state police to determine whether some of the red light issues are repeatable, as “several incidents have occurred at the same intersection in Joppa, Maryland.” Tesla has already “taken steps to resolve the issue at this intersection,” according to NHTSA.
ODI also said Thursday it identified 18 complaints, two media reports and two SGO reports from Tesla regarding instances in which FSD “entered opposing traffic lanes during or after a turn, crossed double-yellow lane markings while continuing straight, or attempted to turn onto a road in the wrong direction despite the presence of wrong-way traffic signs.”
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ODI said it identified six complaints, one media report and four SGO reports in which a Tesla with FSD engaged drove directly through an intersection from a turning lane or turned from a through lane.
“Some of the reported incidents appeared to involve FSD executing a lane change into an opposing lane of traffic without notice to the driver or opportunity to intervene,” ODI wrote.
The ODI has opened what is called a “preliminary assessment,” one of the first steps it can take to require a recall. The agency said it typically tries to complete these investigations within eight months, although it is unclear whether the federal government shutdown will affect the timeline.
Musk’s Department of Government Effectiveness earlier this year reportedly made drastic cuts to NHTSA’s vehicle automation safety staff.
