NHTSA is checking almost 2.9 million Tesla cars fitted with Full Self-Driving (FSD) after getting reports of dangerous driving. There are reports that these cars ran red lights and made lane changes against traffic. There are 58 cases being reviewed, including 14 crashes and 23 injuries.
Crash and violation reports
Some crashes caused fires or serious harm. Six cases point to Teslas going through red lights and getting hit at intersections. Eighteen more complaints mention FSD not stopping properly at lights or not detecting them right. Investigators also saw cars turning into oncoming traffic or turning onto streets in the wrong direction. Several cases happened at one intersection in Maryland. Police got involved, and Tesla sent a fix for that spot.
Tesla hasn’t said anything about the new investigation. The company did push a software update to FSD just before NHTSA went public with the review. FSD asks drivers to stay alert and be ready to take over at any time; it’s not fully autonomous. A Houston driver told NHTSA in 2024, “FSD fails to recognize traffic signals. This leads the vehicle to go through red lights while stopping at green ones.” The driver said Tesla saw the problem but didn’t fix or admit it.
NHTSA wants to see if FSD is safe, especially at railroad crossings. Lawmakers in Congress are watching too, asking NHTSA to act after more near-misses. Tesla’s FSD has faced review since 2024, especially after fatal crashes in poor visibility. There’s ongoing scrutiny around Tesla’s naming and the company’s reporting of accidents.
Possible recall
This review is the first step in the process. If NHTSA finds a real risk, a recall could happen. Tesla’s new FSD update claims to improve how the system handles intersections and emergencies, but the investigation covers problems with older versions too. Tesla says FSD can drive most places with “your active supervision, requiring only minimal intervention.” Drivers still need to pay attention.
Regulators haven’t found any deaths tied to this set of cases. But the agency and lawmakers are pressing harder on Tesla’s automation. California is set to add new rules making self-driving car firms answer for traffic violations. The story isn’t finished, NHTSA is still doing its review.
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