The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified at least 80 incidents where Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software allegedly violated traffic laws, including running red lights and improper lane crossings. This information comes from a new letter sent to the automaker this week, intensifying a federal safety investigation into the advanced driver-assistance system.
The agency detailed 62 complaints from Tesla drivers, 14 reports submitted by Tesla itself, and four media accounts describing potential violations. This marks a significant increase from the approximately 50 incidents NHTSA cited when it initially launched its investigation into FSD's behavior in October.
The federal safety agency's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is specifically examining whether Tesla's driver assistance software can "accurately detect and appropriately respond to traffic signals, signs and lane markings." Furthermore, ODI is assessing if the FSD system provides adequate warnings to drivers when such situations arise. Tesla is required to submit its responses by January 19, 2026.
The rise in reported incidents is particularly noteworthy given that the initial complaints in October included several from a single intersection in Joppa, Maryland. At that time, Tesla informed the agency it had "taken action to address the issue at this intersection." However, NHTSA's latest communication does not specify the geographical locations of these newly reported incidents. It's also known that Tesla heavily redacts its own submissions to the agency, limiting public transparency.
This new letter to Tesla coincides with a controversial claim by CEO Elon Musk, who recently stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the latest FSD version would permit drivers to text while using the driver assistance software—an action illegal in almost all U.S. states. NHTSA has not yet commented on Musk's statement.
The letter serves as the initiation of NHTSA's discovery process, outlining extensive information requests to Tesla. These include data on the number of Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD, the frequency of software engagement, and all customer complaints related to these specific FSD issues. The agency also seeks information from fleet operators, lawsuits, and third-party arbitration proceedings concerning FSD performance.
This is not the first time NHTSA has launched an investigation into Tesla's FSD software. In October 2024, the agency initiated a separate probe focusing on how FSD performs in low-visibility conditions, such as fog or intense sunlight.
