The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into Teslaβs Full Self-Driving tech after receiving reports that the software caused vehicles to run red lights or cross into wrong lanes.
The probe, which identified more than 50 reports of these kinds of violations (four of which led to injuries), is one of the first specifically targeted at Teslaβs Full Self-Driving (FSD) driver assistance software. The NHTSA previously opened an investigation into FSD in October 2024 after receiving reports of crashes in low-visibility conditions.
The federal safety agency in April 2024 closed an investigation into Teslaβs less-capable Autopilot system after identifying 13 fatal crashes related to the misuse of that software. A separate investigation into the efficacy of the fix Tesla issued to Autopilot remains open.
The new investigation was opened the same week that Tesla released the latest version of the software, which CEO Elon Musk has spent months hyping up. This new version is supposed to incorporate training data that Tesla acquired during its limited robotaxi pilot, currently underway in Austin, Texas.
The safety agencyβs Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) said on Thursday that it has received at least 18 complaints and one media report alleging that Teslaβs FSD software failed to stop the car or stay stopped at red lights. In addition, ODI said it identified six reports from Tesla under the agencyβs Standing General Order for Crash Reporting (SGO), which requires companies to submit information about crashes involving autonomous or partially autonomous cars.
ODI said it has already worked with Marylandβs Transportation Authority and its State Police to determine if some of the red light problems are repeatable, since βmultiple subject incidents occurred at the same intersection in Joppa, Maryland.β Tesla has already βtaken action to address the issue at this intersection,β according to the NHTSA.
ODI also said on Thursday it had identified 18 complaints, two media reports, and two SGO reports from Tesla about instances in which FSD βentered opposing lanes of travel during or following a turn, crossed double-yellow lane markings while proceeding straight, or attempted to turn onto a road in the wrong direction despite the presence of wrong-way road signs.β
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ODI said it has identified six complaints, one media report, and four SGO reports where a Tesla with FSD engaged drove straight through an intersection from a turn lane, or turned from a through lane.
βSome of the reported incidents appeared to involve FSD executing a lane change into an opposing lane of travel with little notice to a driver or opportunity to intervene,β ODI wrote.
ODI opened whatβs known as a βPreliminary Evaluation,β one of the first steps it can take on the way to requiring a recall. The agency said it typically tries to complete these investigations within eight months, although itβs unclear if the federal government shutdown would affect the timeline.
Muskβs Department of Government Efficiency earlier this year reportedly made dramatic cuts to NHTSAβs vehicle automation safety staff.
