U.S. safety regulators have launched a fresh investigation into Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) driver-assistance software after reports that vehicles operating with the system engaged in traffic-law violations, including running red lights and making unsafe lane changes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a preliminary evaluation that covers roughly 2.9 million Tesla cars, a move with potential regulatory, legal and market consequences. Reuters
What the probe covers — scope and complaints
According to the NHTSA, the Office of Defects Investigation opened the review to assess “the scope, frequency, and potential safety consequences” of FSD performing maneuvers that could be traffic-law violations. The agency’s inquiry follows dozens of complaints and media reports alleging that Teslas operating with FSD ran red lights, entered intersections improperly, and in some cases crossed into opposing lanes of travel, producing collisions and injuries. Early public tallies cited by regulators indicate more than 50 reports of such violations and multiple crashes with injuries. Reuters
The affected models span several years of Tesla production — the NHTSA listing includes multiple Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y model years and recent Cybertruck units equipped with FSD or FSD Beta. That breadth is one reason the probe reaches millions of vehicles rather than a narrow subset. Repairer Driven News
Why this matters now
This is not the NHTSA’s first look at Tesla’s driver-assist software: the agency has previously investigated incidents involving Autopilot and FSD in different contexts. But this probe is notable because it centers on alleged traffic-law violations (for example, running red lights) — behaviors that directly implicate public safety and the system’s decision-making around intersections and lane changes. Any finding that a feature systematically violates traffic laws can trigger recalls, software modifications, fines, or further regulatory constraints.
Beyond safety, the investigation has near-term market implications. Tesla’s valuation and public narrative are closely tied to its self-driving ambitions; renewed regulatory scrutiny could sway investor sentiment and public trust, particularly if the probe leads to mandated fixes or enforcement actions.
Tesla’s stance and likely next steps
Tesla has historically defended FSD as a supervised driver-assist tool that requires human attention and readiness to intervene. The company often frames the system as improving safety overall compared with typical human driving, while also rolling out frequent software updates. At the time of this article, Tesla has not released a substantive public statement addressing this specific NHTSA preliminary evaluation; regulators typically request data and can issue follow-up requests or expand a preliminary evaluation into an engineering analysis if warranted. The Verge+1
Possible regulatory outcomes include:
- No further action if NHTSA finds incidents isolated or attributable to misuse;
- Software remedy requests requiring Tesla to issue a safety-related update;
- Recall if the agency concludes a defect exists that creates an unreasonable safety risk; or
- Expanded investigation and civil penalties if willful noncompliance or systemic flaws are found.
What drivers and owners should do now
Owners with FSD enabled should continue to follow Tesla’s guidance: remain attentive, keep hands on the wheel as required, and install software updates promptly. If owners observe abnormal or unsafe behavior while FSD is active, they should document time, location and conditions, report the incident to Tesla and to NHTSA — formal complaints can shape regulatory timelines. Reuters
Broader policy implications
This probe feeds into a larger policy conversation: how to regulate increasingly capable driver-assist systems while encouraging innovation. Regulators face the technical challenge of evaluating black-box machine-learning behaviors, while lawmakers weigh whether current “supervised” classifications and labeling are adequate. The NHTSA action may push for clearer performance standards, mandated logging/telemetry, and more stringent in-vehicle driver-monitoring requirements.
What to watch in the coming days
- NHTSA filings and updates — the agency may publish additional details or request further data.
- Tesla responses — official statements, owner advisories, or targeted software patches.
- Media and legal developments — reporting on individual incidents, potential class actions, or state probes could intensify coverage.
