The National Road Traffic Safety Agency (NHTSA) has opened a research In full Tesla’s self-guiding technology, after receiving reports that the software caused the vehicles to run red lights or cross the wrong strips.
The detector, who identified more than 50 reports for these violations (four of which led to injuries), is one of the first to specifically target Tesla’s Full Driving Software (FSD). NHTSA previously opened a FSD investigation in October 2024 after receiving conflict reports in low visibility.
The Federal Security Service in April 2024 closed a research on the least capable Tesla automatic pilot system, finding 13 deadly crash crashes related to the abuse of this software. A separate research on the effectiveness of Fix Tesla issued on the automatic pilot remains open.
The new study opened the same week that Tesla released the latest version of the software, which CEO Elon Musk has spent months. This new version is supposed to incorporate training data obtained by Tesla during the limited Robotaxi pilot, which is underway in Austin, Texas.
The Security Service Data Office (ODI) said on Thursday that it has received at least 18 complaints and a media report claiming that Tesla’s FSD software failed to stop the car or stop in red lights. In addition, ODI said it has identified six reports by Tesla in the context of Crash Reporting (SGO) permanent general order, which requires companies to submit information on crashes involving autonomous or partial autonomous cars.
ODI said it has already worked with the Maryland Transport Authority and its state police to find out if some of the problems of red light are repetitive, since “multiple cases occurred at the same junction at Joppa, Maryland”. Tesla has already “took action to address the problem at this junction”, according to NHTSA.
ODI also said on Thursday that it had identified 18 complaints, two media reports and two SGO reports by Tesla about cases where the FSD “entered opposing strips unjustified road points ”.
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ODI said it has identified six complaints, a media report and four SGO reports where a FSD Tesla is involved led directly through a junction from a turn lane or turned from a lane.
“Some of the reports reported have shown to include the FSD that is performing a lane change in a opposite strip with a minimal notice to a driver or an opportunity to intervene,” Odi wrote.
ODI has opened what is known as the “preliminary evaluation”, one of the first steps it can take on the road to demand a recall. The Agency has said that it is usually trying to complete these investigations within eight months, although it is not clear whether the federal government will affect the timetable.
The efficiency of the Musk Ministry of Government earlier this year made dramatic cuts to NHTSA automation security personnel.
