The U.S. auto safety regulator has opened an official review into Tesla Full Self Driving after receiving more than 50 reports alleging unsafe behavior, including running red lights, crossing into the wrong lane, and making illegal turns. Reported by TechCrunch, the NHTSA probe highlights intensifying scrutiny of AI driven driving systems as regulators evaluate real world safety.

Background: Why this NHTSA investigation matters

Full Self Driving is Tesla s advanced driver assistance package that uses cameras, sensors, and neural network models to handle steering, braking, and navigating intersections while expecting a human driver to remain attentive. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating whether the system performs reliably in diverse traffic scenarios and whether Tesla met reporting and safety obligations.

What regulators will examine

• Whether Full Self Driving consistently detects and responds to traffic controls and lane markings in real world conditions
• Telemetry and software analysis from affected vehicles as part of the NHTSA investigation Tesla Full Self Driving
• Incident reconstruction to assess if Autopilot or other driver assistance features contributed to unsafe outcomes

Key reported issues

• More than 50 reports alleging running red lights
• Crossing yellow lines into opposing lanes
• Making illegal turns at intersections

Explaining technical terms

Full Self Driving, often shortened to FSD, is Tesla s marketed software suite for semi autonomous driving. Autopilot is the broader driver assistance system. NHTSA probe refers to the formal safety investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration into whether a vehicle or component poses an unreasonable risk to safety.

Implications for Tesla and the autonomous vehicle industry

This NHTSA probe has several practical effects for Tesla, other automakers, and businesses exploring AI in safety critical roles:

• Safety and public trust: Repeated federal reviews can erode consumer confidence in claims about automation. A confirmed systemic issue could slow adoption of self driving features.
• Liability and insurance: Findings could clarify liability for software related incidents. Insurers may adjust premiums for vehicles using advanced driver assistance until reliability improves.
• Regulatory tightening: Expect stricter reporting requirements, mandatory real world validation, and clearer rules on how features are marketed as regulators move from theory to field audits.
• Technical challenges: Machine learning models struggle with edge cases such as unusual road markings and ambiguous traffic signals, which often require more data, targeted training, and conservative safety design choices.
• Industry ripple effects: Automakers and suppliers will watch this NHTSA probe closely. Regulatory action against a high profile system like Tesla s Full Self Driving could push the industry toward staged rollouts, stronger driver monitoring, and geofencing by road type.

Is Tesla Full Self Driving safe?

That question is precisely what regulators are assessing. For now, the evidence in these reports suggests real world failures in detecting controls and respecting lane boundaries. The outcome of the NHTSA investigation Tesla Full Self Driving will determine whether software updates, new warnings, or enforcement actions are warranted.

What to watch next

Follow updates on the NHTSA probe, Tesla responses, and any mandated remediation steps. News about software fixes, expanded testing, or new regulatory guidance on autonomous vehicles and vehicle safety will shape how companies deploy AI in transportation going forward.

In short, this probe is a turning point for how regulators, consumers, and businesses evaluate and trust semi autonomous driving technology. Transparent incident reporting, conservative safety margins, and rigorous testing will become essential as autonomous driving moves from labs to public roads.