The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened yet another investigation into Tesla, this time for its Full Self Driving software failing to obey traffic laws, especially when the traffic light is red and during a lane change.
This comes just weeks after the agency launched an investigation into reports of children trapped in the 2021 Model Y because the electronic door handles would just stop working. In a few of those cases, owners had to break a window to get their kids out. Tesla is addressing the issue by redesigning the problematic door handles.
In the Preliminary Evaluation, tagged PE25012, by the NHTSA"s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), the agency noted that it has "concerns" with the performance of both FSD (Supervised) and FSD (Beta). Tesla sells both of these systems as a Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Level 2 partial automation system.
According to the SAE, this means that the driver must remain fully attentive and engaged with the task of driving at all times. The driver is completely responsible for whatever the car does.
The ODI is investigating whether FSD could obstruct the driver"s ability to supervise the system when it does something unexpected. The office has "identified 18 complaints and 1 media report" where a Tesla with FSD engaged failed to stop at a red traffic signal. In some cases, the system did not provide any warning to the driver before the car proceeded straight through the red traffic signal.
The ODI added that six Standing General Order reports showed a Tesla with FSD running a red light and resulting in a crash, with four of these crashes causing one or more injuries. At least a few incidents seemed to involve the car coming to a complete stop before deciding to just go anyway. The agency"s work with Maryland authorities indicated the problem might be repeatable, since multiple incidents happened at the same intersection in Joppa, Maryland.
Another part of the investigation focuses on vehicles with FSD that "entered opposing lanes of travel", crossed double-yellow lines, or tried turning onto a road in the wrong direction. The ODI is also looking into incidents where FSD drove straight through an intersection from a turn-only lane or turned from a lane meant for going straight. Some reports alleged the system executed these lane changes into oncoming traffic with little notice for the driver to intervene.
"NHTSA"s investigation will encompass any other types of situations in which this behavior may arise, such as when traveling adjacent to a lane of opposing traffic or when approaching railroad crossings," the ODI wrote.
The Tesla vehicles under investigation include the Model 3 (2017-2026), Model S (2016-2025), Model X (2016-2025), Model Y (2020-2026), and the Cybertruck (2023-2026).