US Investigates 2.9 Million Tesla Vehicles Over Self-Driving Safety

Federal safety authorities have initiated a comprehensive investigation into approximately 2.9 million Tesla vehicles following numerous reports of traffic safety violations connected to the automaker's Full Self-Driving technology. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced the probe Tuesday, focusing on potential risks associated with Tesla's advanced driver-assistance systems marketed as steps toward autonomous vehicle operation.

The NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation will examine Tesla models equipped with both "FSD (Supervised)" and "FSD (Beta)" systems to determine whether the software "induces vehicle behavior that violates traffic safety laws." Despite being promoted as advancing toward fully autonomous capability, Tesla's technology currently requires drivers to maintain constant alertness and readiness to assume control of the vehicle at any moment during operation.

According to the safety agency's filing, Tesla's self-driving feature has been implicated in multiple incidents where vehicles reportedly ran red lights, crossed into opposing traffic lanes, or collided with other vehicles, resulting in crashes and subsequent fires. The NHTSA has compiled 58 separate reports of safety violations linked to the FSD system, documenting more than a dozen crashes that resulted in 23 injuries among vehicle occupants and other road users.

This investigation represents one of the most extensive regulatory examinations of automated driving technology to date, reflecting growing concerns about the safety performance of advanced driver-assistance systems as they become more prevalent on American roadways. The outcome could have significant implications for the entire autonomous vehicle industry and potentially influence future regulatory frameworks governing self-driving technology development and deployment.