The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has raised concerns about Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software after identifying over 80 instances of the software violating road rules. According to a recent letter sent to Tesla, the violations included running red lights and crossing into the wrong lane. This marks an increase from the initial 50 violations cited by NHTSA when they first opened an investigation into the software’s behavior in October.
The letter from NHTSA detailed that the agency has received 62 complaints from Tesla drivers, 14 reports submitted by Tesla themselves, and four media reports highlighting potential violations. The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is currently looking into whether Tesla’s driver assistance software can accurately detect and respond to traffic signals, signs, and lane markings, as well as whether it provides sufficient warnings to drivers in these situations. Tesla has until January 19, 2026, to respond to these inquiries.
One notable aspect of the increase in complaints is that they are not limited to a specific location, unlike the initial reports from an intersection in Joppa, Maryland. Tesla had previously taken action to address issues at that particular intersection. However, the new incidents reported to NHTSA have not been geographically specified. Tesla’s submissions to the agency are heavily redacted, making it difficult to determine the exact nature of these incidents.
Coincidentally, the letter to Tesla was sent out the same week that CEO Elon Musk claimed the latest version of FSD would enable drivers to text and drive while using the software, which is illegal in most states. NHTSA has not commented on Musk’s statement.
This latest development marks the second investigation NHTSA has launched into Tesla’s FSD software. In October 2024, the agency initiated a probe into how the software handles low-visibility situations like fog or extreme sunlight.
As NHTSA continues its investigation, they have requested specific information from Tesla, including data on the number of vehicles equipped with FSD and how often the software is engaged. They are also asking for any customer complaints related to the issues with FSD, including those from fleet operators and any legal proceedings. This information will aid NHTSA in their discovery process and help determine the next steps in addressing the concerns raised about Tesla’s Full Self-Driving software.
