The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Friday that it is investigating 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving (FSD) software following four reported collisions, including one that was fatal. The safety regulator initiated this preliminary evaluation after receiving reports of incidents where Tesla’s FSD software was active during conditions with reduced roadway visibility, such as sun glare, fog, or airborne dust.
In one of the accidents, the Tesla vehicle fatally struck a pedestrian, while another incident in similar conditions resulted in a reported injury. The focus of NHTSA’s investigation includes Tesla models from 2016 to 2024, specifically the Model S and X with the optional system, as well as the Model 3 from 2017 to 2024, the Model Y from 2020 to 2024, and the Cybertruck from 2023 to 2024.
This preliminary evaluation by NHTSA represents the first step in a process that could potentially lead the agency to recall these vehicles if deemed an unreasonable safety risk. The investigation will assess the engineering controls of the FSD software, evaluating its capability to detect and respond appropriately to situations of reduced visibility. It will also consider any previous similar incidents and any updates or modifications Tesla has made to the FSD system that could affect its performance under such conditions.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been prioritizing the development of self-driving technology and robotaxis to address increasing competition and declining demand in the electric vehicle market. Tesla’s FSD technology, which aims for high automation where vehicles can perform most driving tasks independently, has been under development for several years. However, it has encountered legal challenges due to at least two fatal accidents, including an incident in April involving a Model S that fatally struck a motorcyclist in the Seattle area.
Tesla’s website clarifies that both FSD and the Autopilot feature are designed for use with a fully attentive driver who is ready to take control when necessary. This indicates that while the features are intended to become more advanced over time, they do not currently render the vehicle autonomous.
