The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, following reports of four crashes, including one fatal incident. The probe comes after concerns arose over the system’s ability to perform under reduced visibility conditions like sun glare, fog, and airborne dust.
According to the NHTSA, the most severe incident involved a Tesla vehicle fatally striking a pedestrian while the FSD software was engaged. Another crash resulted in injuries. The investigation covers a broad range of Tesla models, including the 2016-2024 Model S and Model X, 2017-2024 Model 3, 2020-2024 Model Y, and 2023-2024 Cybertruck vehicles, all equipped with the optional FSD feature.
The NHTSA’s preliminary evaluation is the first step in determining whether a formal recall will be required. The agency is looking specifically at the FSD’s engineering controls, particularly how well it detects and responds to reduced visibility. Additionally, the investigation will assess whether Tesla has made updates to the system in response to these incidents, and if those updates have improved safety under such conditions.
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving software has long been a controversial topic, with the company emphasizing that the system requires active driver supervision and is not fully autonomous. However, this investigation puts a renewed spotlight on the software’s real-world safety implications, especially as Tesla CEO Elon Musk pushes the company towards autonomous driving and robotaxi services in an increasingly competitive market.
With shares of Tesla dipping slightly following the news, the investigation poses a significant challenge for the automaker, which has touted FSD as a key component of its future business model. The NHTSA will now review whether Tesla’s software poses an “unreasonable risk” and whether more crashes have occurred under similar visibility conditions. The outcome of this probe could have wide-reaching implications for both Tesla’s FSD technology and the broader autonomous driving industry.
