The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into 2.88 million Tesla vehicles equipped with the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software after receiving more than 50 reports of traffic violations and crashes linked to the system.
The agency said the FSD feature — which requires driver attention and intervention — has in some cases “induced vehicle behavior that violated traffic safety laws,” including driving through red lights and making illegal lane changes. So far, 58 incidents have been reported, 14 resulting in crashes and 23 injuries, according to NHTSA.
In at least six cases, Teslas running FSD reportedly entered intersections against red signals, leading to collisions, four of which caused injuries. The regulator said it is also examining FSD’s behavior at railroad crossings following concerns raised by U.S. lawmakers over near-miss incidents.
The probe marks a preliminary evaluation, the first stage before a potential vehicle recall if safety risks are confirmed. Tesla shares slipped 2.1% following news of the investigation, first reported by Reuters.
Tesla recently issued a software update for FSD, though the company has not publicly commented on the probe. The system has been under continuous federal scrutiny amid concerns that its branding and performance blur the line between driver assistance and full automation.
Experts say the U.S. action may pressure other regulators to examine the growing use of semi-autonomous technologies in vehicles worldwide.