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In a significant development for Tesla’s autonomous driving technology, federal safety regulators have launched a formal investigation into the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. The inquiry by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) will scrutinize the system for executing maneuvers that lead to traffic safety violations.
Key Highlights
- The federal probe specifically targets Tesla’s FSD (Supervised) and FSD (Beta) software versions.
- Investigators are focused on reports of critical driving errors, including running red lights and making dangerous lane changes into opposing traffic.
- The evaluation was prompted by dozens of consumer complaints and multiple crash reports, some involving injuries.
- A key focus is whether FSD’s autonomous actions undermine the required level of driver supervision for an SAE Level 2 system.
Focus on FSD’s Autonomy Limits
This Preliminary Evaluation will determine if FSD’s automated inputs prevent the driver from safely supervising the vehicle. While marketed as Full Self-Driving, the system is classified as an SAE Level 2 driver-assist feature, meaning the driver is always fully responsible for the vehicle’s operation and must remain prepared to intervene. The ODI is examining whether unexpected system behaviors make such intervention difficult or impossible.
Probe Targets Intersection Safety Failures
A primary area of concern involves performance at intersections. The ODI has identified 18 complaints and one media report of FSD-equipped vehicles failing to stop for red lights. Complainants noted the system sometimes failed to display the correct traffic signal state or provide any warning before proceeding.
More critically, six Standing General Order (SGO) reports are linked to crashes where a Tesla using FSD drove into an intersection against a red light. These incidents led to four crashes with reported injuries. Regulators noted that multiple incidents at a single intersection in Joppa, Maryland, may indicate a repeatable system flaw, which Tesla has reportedly taken action to address.
Erratic Lane Changes Under Scrutiny
The investigation is also analyzing reports of FSD commanding vehicles to make dangerous and improper lane changes. This includes crossing double-yellow lines into opposing traffic, using turn-only lanes to go straight, and attempting to turn the wrong way onto roads. The ODI has collected multiple SGO reports and over 20 consumer complaints detailing these behaviors. Some drivers alleged these maneuvers occurred with little to no warning, reducing the opportunity to intervene safely.
NHTSA to Assess FSD’s Detection Capabilities
The ODI’s technical review will assess the core functionality of the FSD system. This includes its ability to detect and respond to traffic signals and lane markings, the clarity and timing of warnings it provides to the driver, and the amount of time a driver is given to react to an unexpected maneuver. The investigation will also consider any software updates or modifications Tesla has made that may affect FSD’s performance in obeying traffic laws.
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