Tesla's 'Full Self-Driving' Plays Red Light Roulette, Feds Launch Massive Probe into Nearly 3 Million Rogue Cars
Is your Tesla playing a dangerous game of red light roulette? Federal regulators certainly think so. The U.S. government has just launched a massive new investigation into Tesla's 'Full Self-Driving' technology following a flood of terrifying reports that the cars are going rogue—blowing through red lights, swerving into oncoming traffic, and causing shocking crashes, all without a single warning to the person behind the wheel.
In a formal filing dated Tuesday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced it is scrutinizing a staggering 2,882,566 vehicles. This probe effectively covers nearly every Tesla on the road equipped with the controversial FSD software. The federal action was triggered by at least 58 official incident reports detailing how the high-tech vehicles allegedly violated fundamental traffic safety laws, turning everyday commutes into potential disaster zones.
The accounts from drivers are alarming. Many reported that their vehicles, while in FSD mode, behaved with a mind of their own, making dangerous and illegal maneuvers that led to property damage, injuries, and near-misses. A common thread in these complaints is the complete lack of warning. Drivers stated the system gave no audible chimes or visual alerts before the erratic behavior began, leaving them with mere seconds to intervene and prevent a catastrophe. This 'silent failure' is a key focus for investigators trying to understand the system's flaws.
This latest federal headache is part of a growing pattern of scrutiny for the electric vehicle giant. It's crucial to distinguish this investigation from previous ones focusing on Tesla's more basic 'Autopilot' system. In a landmark case this past August, a Miami jury found Tesla partially responsible for a tragic 2019 fatality involving Autopilot, hitting the company with a massive $240 million damages verdict. While Tesla plans to appeal that decision, this new probe into its premier 'Full Self-Driving' feature suggests regulators' concerns are only intensifying as the technology becomes more widespread.
With nearly three million vehicles now under a federal microscope, the future of Tesla's autonomous driving ambitions hangs in the balance. The investigation represents a critical stress test for a technology that has been marketed as the future of transportation. For now, drivers and regulators alike are left wondering if the so-called 'Full Self-Driving' feature is ready for the real world, or if it's creating more problems than it solves.
