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U.S. regulators have granted Tesla a five-week extension to respond to allegations that its vehicles have violated traffic laws while operating in the company’s “full self-driving” mode, extending the deadline from January 19 to February 23, 2025.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation in October after collecting dozens of reports of Tesla vehicles running red lights, driving on the wrong side of the road, and sometimes crashing into other vehicles, resulting in injuries. The investigation encompasses approximately 2.9 million Tesla vehicles equipped with the full self-driving (FSD) technology.
Since the investigation’s launch, the number of reported incidents has increased from 58 to 62, according to a letter the agency sent to Tesla on December 3. Critics have long argued that the term “full self-driving” is misleading and has created a false sense of security for drivers, who may believe the system can operate vehicles autonomously.
Tesla, under the leadership of CEO Elon Musk, has consistently maintained in both regulatory discussions and court proceedings that it clearly communicates to drivers that the system cannot drive cars independently. The company emphasizes that drivers must remain vigilant and ready to take control at any moment. However, regulators note that many Tesla drivers involved in accidents reported receiving no warning before their vehicles behaved erratically.
The FSD system in question is classified as Level 2 driver-assistance software, which by definition requires drivers to maintain full attention on the road at all times. Tesla introduced a new version of the FSD system in the fall of 2024, while simultaneously testing a more advanced version that purportedly doesn’t require driver intervention—a capability Musk has been promising for years.
The scrutiny of Tesla’s FSD technology comes at a challenging time for the automaker. Once the undisputed leader in electric vehicles, Tesla lost its position as the world’s bestselling EV manufacturer last year to Chinese rival BYD. While Tesla delivered 1.64 million vehicles in 2024, a 9% decrease from the previous year, BYD sold 2.26 million vehicles, claiming the top spot in global EV sales.
Tesla’s sales decline has been attributed to multiple factors, including public reaction to Musk’s increasingly right-wing political stance, expiring U.S. tax incentives for electric vehicle purchases, and intensifying competition both domestically and internationally. This represents the second consecutive year of declining sales for the company.
Despite these challenges in its core vehicle sales business, Tesla is under increasing pressure to demonstrate success with its FSD technology. Investors continue to show faith in Musk’s vision for Tesla’s future beyond conventional auto manufacturing, particularly in robotaxi services and humanoid robots designed for home and workplace tasks.
This optimism was reflected in Tesla’s stock performance, which finished 2024 with an approximate 11% gain. As of midday trading Friday, Tesla shares remained stable at around $439 each.
The outcome of the NHTSA investigation could have significant implications for Tesla’s autonomous driving ambitions and the broader self-driving technology market. Regulatory actions resulting from this investigation might establish important precedents for how autonomous driving features are marketed, tested, and deployed in the United States.
As the investigation continues, industry experts are closely monitoring whether stricter regulations might be implemented regarding how automakers can market partially autonomous driving systems and what safety standards must be met before such technologies can be deployed on public roads.
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12 Comments
While I’m generally excited about the potential of self-driving technology, Tesla’s approach seems to prioritize marketing hype over safety. The NHTSA investigation is a necessary step to ensure Tesla’s automation features meet rigorous standards.
Well said. Rushing unproven self-driving tech to market could have serious consequences. Tesla should focus on developing the technology safely rather than making bold claims about ‘full self-driving’ capabilities.
The increased number of reported incidents with Tesla’s ‘full self-driving’ mode is a concerning trend. Regulators need to closely examine the safety of this technology and Tesla’s claims around its capabilities.
This is concerning news about Tesla’s self-driving tech. While innovation is important, safety should be the top priority. I hope the additional time leads to a thorough investigation and clear guidance on responsible automation.
Agreed. Tesla needs to be transparent about the limitations of its ‘full self-driving’ capabilities and ensure drivers understand the risks. Rushing this technology could have serious consequences.
The NHTSA investigation is a necessary step to validate the safety and reliability of Tesla’s self-driving features. I hope the additional time leads to a thorough review and clear guidelines for responsible automation development.
Interesting that the NHTSA investigation has grown from 58 to 62 reported incidents. This suggests the issues with Tesla’s self-driving tech may be more widespread than initially thought. More oversight and rigorous testing seems warranted.
Definitely. Tesla’s ambitious timeline for ‘full self-driving’ seems to have outpaced the technology’s actual capabilities. Prioritizing safety over speed is crucial for emerging automotive AI.
The term ‘full self-driving’ does seem misleading, as the system still requires active driver monitoring and cannot operate vehicles independently. Tesla needs to be more transparent about the current limitations of its automation tech.
I agree. Drivers may develop a false sense of security with Tesla’s ‘full self-driving’ mode, which could lead to dangerous situations. Responsible disclosure of the system’s capabilities and limitations is essential.
It’s good to see the NHTSA taking a closer look at Tesla’s self-driving tech. Ensuring the safety of these systems should be the top priority, even if it means slowing down development timelines.
Absolutely. Tesla’s ambitious marketing claims around ‘full self-driving’ seem to have outpaced the actual capabilities of the technology. Prioritizing safety and transparency is crucial.