US Road Safety Agency Investigates Tesla’s FSD Over 4 Crashes in Low-Visibility Conditions

The U.S. government is intensifying its scrutiny of Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” (FSD) system after receiving reports of crashes linked to poor visibility conditions.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that it is investigating the system’s ability to handle environments such as sun glare, fog, and airborne dust, which reportedly led to several accidents, including one fatal incident involving a pedestrian.

Four Crashes Reported Due to Reduced Visibility

The investigation was prompted after Tesla disclosed four crashes related to visibility issues.

One of these accidents resulted in a pedestrian’s death, and another led to injuries. NHTSA has expanded its probe to cover approximately 2.4 million Tesla vehicles from the 2016 to 2024 model years.

These vehicles use the company’s FSD technology, which is marketed as an advanced driver-assistance system that requires constant human oversight.

In its statement, NHTSA noted that investigators will assess the system’s ability to detect and respond to reduced visibility conditions and investigate the contributing circumstances of these crashes.

Tesla’s Response to the Probe

Tesla has maintained that its FSD system is not fully autonomous and insists that human drivers must be prepared to take control at any moment.

Early Friday, the company was contacted for comments on the ongoing investigation.

While Tesla has not yet provided a public response, the company has faced similar scrutiny in the past.

Past Recalls and Criticism

Tesla’s FSD system has been subject to two recalls (which unlike traditional recalls mean that Tesla fixed the problem using over-the-air software updates), initiated after concerns from NHTSA.

The first recall occurred due to the system being programmed to run stop signs at slow speeds, and the second recall involved other traffic law violations. Both issues were addressed through over-the-air software updates.

Critics have raised concerns about Tesla’s reliance on cameras to detect obstacles and hazards.

Unlike other companies developing autonomous driving technology, Tesla does not use radar or laser sensors, which many experts believe are essential for better performance in low-visibility environments, such as nighttime driving or foggy conditions.

Autopilot’s Earlier Troubles

Tesla has faced investigations in the past regarding its Autopilot system, a less advanced version of FSD.

In April, a separate investigation concluded after Tesla was pushed to recall vehicles to improve a system designed to ensure drivers were attentive.

The Autopilot investigation stemmed from crashes involving Teslas striking parked emergency vehicles with flashing lights.

Despite the recall, NHTSA continues to review whether the implemented fixes have been effective.

New FSD Investigation

The latest investigation marks a shift in NHTSA’s approach, as the agency is now focusing on the FSD system’s ability to handle driving independently rather than simply ensuring drivers remain attentive.

This new probe could lead to stricter regulations on Tesla’s autonomous vehicle ambitions, especially as Tesla continues to market its FSD system as a breakthrough in autonomous driving.

Tesla’s Autonomous Vehicle Ambitions

Despite the ongoing investigation, Tesla CEO Elon Musk remains optimistic about the future of fully autonomous vehicles.

On October 11, Musk hosted an event at a Hollywood studio to unveil the company’s new robotaxi, a vehicle without a steering wheel or pedals, designed for fully autonomous use.

Musk boldly claimed that Tesla aims to have these autonomous vehicles on the road next year, with robotaxis available by 2026.

“We’ll move from supervised Full Self-Driving to unsupervised Full Self-Driving, where you can fall asleep and wake up at your destination,” Musk announced during the event. “It’s going to be a glorious future.”

Tesla also plans to roll out FSD technology in its popular Model 3 and Model Y vehicles across Texas and California next year, bringing autonomous capabilities to a wider market.

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