Millions of Tesla vehicles are under the microscope as serious questions emerge about the safety of their driver assistance technology. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced an investigation into nearly 2.9 million Teslas equipped with Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, triggered by more than 50 reports of traffic violations and multiple crashes — some resulting in injuries. But here's where it gets controversial: this high-tech system, designed to assist drivers, has allegedly caused vehicles to run red lights and even drive the wrong way during lane changes, raising red flags about its reliability and safety.
Full Self-Driving is marketed as an advanced driver assistance tool that still depends on drivers keeping their focus and stepping in when necessary. However, the NHTSA’s probe highlights troubling incidents where Tesla vehicles appear to have behaved illegally and dangerously on the road while the system was active. These include cases where cars proceeded through intersections against red lights and violated basic traffic laws, putting occupants and other road users at risk.
At present, the agency is examining 58 reports tied to FSD-related safety concerns, including 14 crashes and 23 injuries. This investigation comes at a time when Congress is increasingly scrutinizing Tesla’s autonomous features, coinciding with the recent confirmation of a new NHTSA chief sworn in to oversee such safety issues.
Tesla hasn't provided an immediate comment but released a software update for FSD this week, possibly addressing some of these concerns. According to NHTSA, six of the reported incidents involved Teslas running red lights and subsequently crashing with other vehicles, four of which caused injuries.
This preliminary evaluation could lead to a vehicle recall if NHTSA determines the system poses an unreasonable safety risk. Reflecting investor nerves, Tesla’s stock dropped 2.1% following the news.
One particularly striking report came from a Houston driver who claimed that FSD failed to recognize traffic signals correctly, running red lights while stopping at green ones. The driver also alleged Tesla’s refusal to acknowledge or fix the issue, despite evident proof on a test drive.
NHTSA is also expanding its review to how FSD handles railroad crossings, responding to lawmakers’ concerns after rising near-miss reports there. This is not the first time NHTSA has delved into Tesla’s driver assistance; in October 2024, the agency investigated 2.4 million vehicles after multiple collisions happened under poor visibility conditions, including a fatal crash.
Tesla insists FSD requires active driver supervision and is not a fully autonomous system, claiming it can take you nearly anywhere with minimal intervention. Yet, experts like Professor Oliver Carsten from the University of Leeds warn that investigations like this should alert regulators worldwide. Many systems today blur the line between mere driver assistance and automation, raising complex safety and ethical questions.
Tesla's automated features beyond FSD have also raised concerns. Earlier this year, NHTSA launched an investigation into 2.6 million Teslas involving reports of crashes linked to a remote vehicle-movement feature. Additionally, the agency is scrutinizing Tesla’s self-driving robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, which debuted in June.
This unfolding investigation casts a spotlight on the challenges and risks of evolving vehicle technology and raises a critical question: Are these cutting-edge driving aids truly ready for mainstream use, or are regulators and consumers being pushed into uncharted—and potentially unsafe—territory? What's your take? Should Tesla be held accountable for these tech failures, or is this just the growing pain of innovation? Share your thoughts below—this debate is just getting started.
