Key Takeaways
- Tesla has been granted a five-week extension to respond to a defect investigation into its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, which has been found to violate traffic laws in dozens of instances.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is probing the FSD system, citing reports of Teslas running red lights, driving in the wrong direction, and committing other failures.
- Tesla has requested more time to review and respond to the investigation, citing a large volume of records to review and other ongoing probes into delayed crash reports and inoperative door handles.
- The company plans to ask for another extension to provide further information about each complaint or claim, including FSD software versions, driver alerts, and incident timelines.
- The investigation into FSD is critical to Tesla, with CEO Elon Musk counting on the system to drive demand after consecutive declines in annual vehicle deliveries.
Introduction to the Investigation
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has granted Tesla a five-week extension to respond to a defect investigation into its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system. The investigation, which was opened in October, is probing the suite of features that Tesla refers to as FSD, citing dozens of instances where Teslas have run red lights, driven in the wrong direction, or committed other failures while the system is engaged. The NHTSA sent Tesla an information request last month, asking the carmaker to provide the number of consumer complaints, field reports, property damage claims, arbitration proceedings, or lawsuits that may relate to the alleged defect.
Tesla’s Request for Extension
Tesla requested the extension on January 12, stating that it needed more time to identify traffic violation reports that are potentially relevant to the probe. According to a filing posted to the NHTSA’s website, Tesla has 8,313 records remaining that require manual review. The company estimated that it can process around 300 records per day and now has until February 23 to respond to the investigation. Tesla complained that it is dealing with a large volume of queries from the regulator, including probes into delayed crash reports and inoperative door handles, which is affecting the quality of its responses.
Importance of FSD to Tesla
The proficiency of FSD is increasingly pivotal to Tesla, with CEO Elon Musk counting on the system to drive demand after consecutive declines in annual vehicle deliveries. While Musk routinely touts the effectiveness of Tesla’s automated-driving features, California has accused the company of overstating the capabilities of its cars. The state has threatened a 30-day sales suspension that could take effect early this year. The investigation into FSD is critical to Tesla’s future, and the company is working to address the concerns raised by the NHTSA.
NHTSA’s Probes into Tesla
In addition to investigating Teslas violating traffic-safety laws while FSD is engaged, the NHTSA is scrutinizing the ability of the company’s cars to detect and appropriately respond to sun glare, fog, and other reduced visibility conditions. The regulator opened that probe in October 2024 after multiple crashes, one of which resulted in a fatality. The NHTSA is seeking detailed information about each incident, including the timelines for each incident, starting 30 seconds prior to initial traffic violations and ending either with a final violation, a driver disengaging FSD, or any crash.
Next Steps in the Investigation
After Tesla is done calculating the number of traffic violation reports and providing summaries of the alleged problems, as well as its assessment of causal and contributing factors, the carmaker plans to ask the NHTSA for another extension. The company intends to seek more time to provide further information about each complaint or claim, including what FSD software version the vehicle was equipped with, whether drivers were alerted before a traffic violation, and whether a crash, injuries, or fatalities were alleged. The NHTSA will review the information provided by Tesla and determine the next steps in the investigation, which could potentially lead to a recall or other enforcement action.
Conclusion
The investigation into Tesla’s FSD system is a critical issue for the company, with significant implications for its future. The NHTSA’s probe has highlighted concerns about the safety and effectiveness of the system, and Tesla must address these concerns to regain public trust. The company’s request for an extension to respond to the investigation is a sign of the complexity and scope of the issue, and the NHTSA’s scrutiny of Tesla’s responses will be closely watched by regulators, investors, and consumers alike. As the investigation continues, it is clear that the outcome will have significant implications for Tesla and the broader automotive industry.
