Tesla's self-driving software accused of running red lights, lane violations
What's the story
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has flagged at least 80 cases of Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software breaching road rules. The violations include running red lights and crossing into the wrong lane. The information was revealed in a recent letter sent to the automaker by NHTSA, which got 62 complaints from Tesla drivers, 14 reports submitted by Tesla itself, and four media reports highlighting possible violations.
Ongoing probe
NHTSA investigates Tesla's driver assistance software
The federal safety agency's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is looking into whether Tesla's driver assistance software can "accurately detect and appropriately respond to traffic signals, signs and lane markings." The ODI is also looking into if Tesla's software is offering enough warnings to drivers in these situations. The company has until January 19, 2026, to respond to the allegations.
Company stance
Tesla's response to previous complaints and Musk's controversial claim
Notably, the original batch of complaints reported by ODI in October included several from a specific intersection in Joppa, Maryland. Tesla had then claimed that it had already "taken action to address the issue at this intersection." The latest development comes as CEO Elon Musk claimed on X that the new version of FSD will let drivers text and drive while using the driver assistance software, a practice illegal in most US states.
Data demands
NHTSA's information requests to Tesla
The letter from NHTSA is the start of the discovery process and contains several information requests made to Tesla. These include details on how many vehicles are equipped with FSD, how often it is used, and any customer complaints received about these specific issues with FSD. This isn't the first investigation into Tesla's FSD software by NHTSA; a previous probe was launched in October 2024 over its performance in low-visibility conditions like fog or extreme sunlight.