The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a formal investigation into Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” (FSD) systems, covering 2.4 million vehicles manufactured between 2016 and 2024. This probe follows four crashes involving FSD, including one fatal accident where a Tesla hit a pedestrian. The evaluation will assess how well Tesla’s autonomous technology detects and responds to reduced visibility conditions, such as fog and sun glare.
NHTSA’s action could lead to a potential recall of Tesla vehicles if safety risks are confirmed. Despite being branded as “Full Self-Driving,” the agency clarified that Tesla’s FSD software is only a partial automation system. Tesla, led by billionaire Elon Musk, did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding the investigation.
This scrutiny comes just after Musk’s flashy unveiling of the Cybercab robotaxi concept, which aims to hit the market by 2027 without pedals or a steering wheel. However, some analysts were unimpressed, and Tesla’s stock has dropped by 8% since the announcement. The probe adds pressure on Tesla as it competes with companies like Waymo, which uses more advanced sensor technologies for its self-driving systems.
