NHTSA opens Tesla FSD probe after 58 incidents, covering 2.88M vehicles
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a probe into Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system after 58 incident reports alleging FSD‑equipped vehicles violated traffic laws — including running red lights and wrong‑side driving — and some drivers said the cars gave no warning before unexpected behavior. The investigation covers about 2,882,566 FSD‑capable Teslas and comes amid other NHTSA inquiries into Tesla features (including “Summon,” a 2024–25 probe of 2.4 million cars over low‑visibility crashes, and an August probe of delayed crash reporting), after a Miami jury found Tesla partly liable in a 2019 Autopilot fatality (a $240 million award Tesla plans to appeal) and as Tesla shares fell roughly 2%.
📌 Key Facts
- NHTSA has opened a probe into Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) after receiving 58 incident reports alleging Teslas on FSD violated traffic laws (e.g., running red lights, driving on the wrong side).
- The investigation covers 2,882,566 Teslas equipped with FSD — effectively all FSD-capable vehicles.
- Multiple drivers reported their cars exhibited unexpected behavior without warning prior to the incidents.
- The new probe adds to ongoing NHTSA scrutiny of Tesla, including active investigations into the 'Summon' feature, a 2024–2025 probe of about 2.4 million Teslas after crashes in low visibility, and an August probe into delayed crash reporting.
- In related legal developments, a Miami jury in August found Tesla partly responsible for a 2019 Autopilot fatal crash and awarded $240 million; Tesla plans to appeal.
- After news of the probe, Tesla shares fell by about 2% on Thursday.
📰 Sources (2)
- NHTSA cites 58 incident reports in which Teslas on FSD violated traffic laws (e.g., running red lights, wrong-side driving).
- The probe covers 2,882,566 Teslas equipped with FSD — effectively all FSD-capable vehicles.
- Multiple drivers reported the cars gave no warning before exhibiting unexpected behavior.
- Context of parallel NHTSA scrutiny: active probes into Tesla's 'Summon' feature, a 2024–2025 probe of 2.4 million Teslas after crashes in low visibility, and an August investigation into delayed crash reporting.
- Related legal backdrop: a Miami jury in August found Tesla partly responsible in a 2019 Autopilot fatal crash and awarded $240 million (Tesla plans to appeal).
- Market note: Tesla shares fell about 2% Thursday.