The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a federal investigation into Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, following reports of 44 incidents linked to potential safety defects. The probe examines whether the automated system, including its FSD Beta version, may have contributed to crashes, traffic violations, and hazardous driving behaviour across approximately 2.88 million Tesla vehicles.
The investigation comes amid mounting safety concerns over Tesla’s FSD technology, which, despite being marketed as a step toward fully autonomous driving, requires drivers to remain alert and ready to take control at all times. According to NHTSA, incidents include vehicles running red lights, veering into oncoming traffic, and other dangerous manoeuvres that led to collisions, some resulting in injuries.
The agency’s Office of Defects Investigation has launched a preliminary evaluation to determine whether Tesla adequately warns drivers and provides sufficient time to react to unexpected FSD behaviour. The review will also assess the system’s ability to recognise and respond to traffic signals, lane markings, and road signs, as well as how it communicates intended actions to drivers.
Tesla has not yet issued a comment regarding the investigation. The automaker recently rolled out FSD version 14.1 to customers, continuing its push toward full autonomy and the long-promised “robotaxi” capabilities, which remain unrealised. Current robotaxi trials in Texas and other locations still require human safety drivers on board.
The probe coincides with concerns that previous staff reductions at NHTSA, reportedly influenced by directives from Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump, may have affected the agency’s oversight capabilities for autonomous vehicle safety.
This investigation underscores growing scrutiny over Tesla’s aggressive deployment of Full Self-Driving technology amid ongoing debates over EV safety, regulatory compliance, and autonomous vehicle readiness.
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