The U.S. federal authorities have launched a probe into Tesla Inc.’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature following a series of accidents, including one that tragically resulted in a fatality. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirmed that the investigation will assess whether Tesla’s FSD system is flawed, particularly in its ability to respond effectively to challenging conditions such as fog and limited visibility.
The NHTSA revealed that four incidents have been reported where the FSD system was active during accidents under these conditions. In one instance, a pedestrian was fatally struck by a Tesla vehicle, while another crash led to injuries. Tesla has yet to respond to requests for comments regarding the ongoing probe.
This investigation poses a significant challenge to Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, who has been positioning the automaker at the forefront of autonomous driving technology. The company has long promoted its FSD system, charging customers thousands of dollars for the feature, which still requires constant driver supervision. Just last week, Tesla held an event in Los Angeles showcasing autonomous vehicle concepts, though it provided limited details on how it plans to achieve full self-driving capabilities.
Tesla’s stock reacted negatively to the news, dipping by as much as 1% before regular trading began. The shares had already come under pressure following the recent unveiling of its robotaxi prototypes, which failed to clarify the company’s long-term self-driving goals.
The FSD investigation compounds Tesla’s regulatory challenges, as the NHTSA had already opened a separate inquiry in April. That investigation focused on Tesla’s Autopilot system, another driver-assistance feature, following concerns that the automaker hadn’t done enough to prevent its misuse. NHTSA is questioning whether a software update implemented last year is adequate in keeping drivers attentive while using the system.
According to NHTSA, the gap between driver expectations and the actual capabilities of Tesla’s Autopilot feature has resulted in misuse and avoidable accidents. Earlier this year, the agency identified 211 crashes involving Teslas on Autopilot, 111 of which occurred after drivers disengaged the system unintentionally.
Musk has previously stated that Tesla’s future hinges on the success of its autonomous vehicle technology, noting that the company’s value could either skyrocket or plummet depending on its ability to deliver self-driving cars. Currently, Tesla charges $8,000 for the FSD system.
