The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into Tesla’s self-driving software systems, specifically evaluating their safety performance across 2.4 million vehicles. The investigation covers multiple Tesla models produced between 2016 and 2024 and is considered the first step toward any potential recall that the agency might seek against the company, which is led by tech billionaire Elon Musk.
NHTSA launched the probe after receiving reports of four crashes involving Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” (FSD) software. In these incidents, reduced roadway visibility, caused by factors such as fog or sun glare, was a key factor. The agency said that in one crash, a Tesla fatally struck a pedestrian, while another crash left someone injured. The investigation aims to assess whether Tesla’s self-driving systems can effectively detect and respond to low-visibility conditions and whether similar crashes have occurred under comparable circumstances.
Despite being branded “Full Self-Driving,” NHTSA noted that the system is actually a “partial driving automation system,” meaning it still requires human oversight and control. Tesla has not yet responded to requests for comment on the investigation.
The timing of the investigation is significant, coming just a week after Musk’s high-profile launch of the Cybercab, an autonomous robotaxi concept, at an event held at Warner Bros. studio in Burbank, California. The Cybercab, designed to operate without pedals or a steering wheel, is expected to hit the market by 2027. However, the rollout left some investors and analysts unimpressed, contributing to an 8% drop in Tesla’s stock value since the event. The company’s shares remained relatively stable following NHTSA’s announcement.
Unlike competitor Waymo, the self-driving arm of Google-parent Alphabet, Tesla relies primarily on cameras and artificial intelligence to power its autonomous driving systems. Musk’s approach, which avoids using more expensive technologies like Lidar and radar that are critical to Waymo’s driverless cars, has allowed Tesla to offer a lower-cost solution for self-driving features.
NHTSA’s investigation represents a significant challenge for Tesla, which has been under increasing scrutiny over the safety and performance of its self-driving technology. If the evaluation uncovers safety risks, it could result in Tesla being forced to issue a recall and make adjustments to its self-driving software. For now, the future of Tesla’s autonomous driving ambitions remains uncertain, pending the results of the federal investigation.
