Feds receive additional reports of Tesla’s FSD ignoring red lights and drifting into other lanes
NHTSA Highlights Dozens of Tesla FSD Traffic Violations
According to a recent letter addressed to Tesla, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has documented at least 80 cases where the company’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system broke traffic laws, including running red lights and drifting into incorrect lanes.
The agency’s letter notes that it has received 62 complaints from Tesla owners, 14 incident reports from Tesla itself, and four accounts from media sources regarding these potential violations. This marks an increase from the roughly 50 incidents NHTSA referenced when it first launched its investigation last October.
Scope of the Investigation
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), a division within NHTSA, is examining whether Tesla’s driver assistance technology can reliably recognize and react to traffic signals, road signs, and lane boundaries. The ODI is also assessing if the system provides adequate alerts to drivers in these scenarios. Tesla has until January 19, 2026, to respond to the agency’s inquiries.
Rising Complaints and Previous Incidents
The growing number of complaints is significant, especially since the initial reports in October included several incidents from the same intersection in Joppa, Maryland. At that time, Tesla informed the agency that it had already addressed the issue at that location. The latest letter does not specify where the new incidents occurred, and Tesla typically withholds detailed information in its submissions to regulators.
Elon Musk’s Recent Comments and NHTSA’s Response
The letter was sent during the same week that Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated on X that the newest version of FSD would enable drivers to text while using the system—a practice that is illegal in almost every state. NHTSA has not yet commented on Musk’s remarks.
Information Requests and Ongoing Probes
This correspondence marks the beginning of NHTSA’s formal information-gathering process. The agency is requesting details from Tesla about the number of vehicles equipped with FSD and the frequency with which the software is activated. Additionally, ODI wants Tesla to provide any customer complaints related to these FSD issues, including those from fleet operators, legal cases, or third-party arbitration.
This marks the second time NHTSA has launched an investigation into Tesla’s Full Self-Driving software. The agency began a separate probe in October 2024 to evaluate how FSD performs in conditions with poor visibility, such as heavy fog or intense sunlight.
Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.
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