Tesla’s ‘Full Self-Driving’ System Under Federal Investigation Following Reports of Safety Violations
Federal regulators have launched a new investigation into Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” (FSD) feature after receiving reports of 58 incidents involving the system allegedly causing vehicles to run red lights, drive on the wrong side of the road, and crash, resulting in injuries and fires.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is examining the incidents, which span across 2.9 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD technology. Regulators reported that many drivers involved in accidents stated their vehicles provided no warning before the unexpected behavior. This probe adds to existing investigations into Tesla’s technology, potentially impacting Elon Musk’s plans to deploy fully driverless vehicles via software updates. The investigation comes at a critical time for Tesla, as the company faces increasing competition in the electric vehicle market and declining stock prices.
Several industry analysts have expressed concerns about the system’s safety and effectiveness. “The ultimate question is, ‘Does the software work?’” asked Seth Goldstein, a Morningstar analyst. Ross Gerber, a money manager and Tesla investor, added, “The world has become a giant testing ground for Elon’s concept of full self-driving, and it’s not working.” Tesla maintains that the FSD system is a Level 2 driver-assistance feature requiring full driver attention and the ability to intervene at all times, a point the company has argued in previous legal cases, including a recent Miami jury verdict finding the company partly responsible for a 2019 fatal crash.
Yesterday, Tesla announced plans to release two new, more affordable versions of its existing models in an attempt to boost sales, but investors reacted negatively. NHTSA officials stated they will continue to assess the data and work with Tesla to ensure the safety of its vehicles. You can find more information about vehicle safety recalls and investigations on the NHTSA website.
