Tesla Full Self-Driving faces safety criticism and legal challenges
Tesla's Full Self-Driving system failed repeated real-world tests, making safety-critical errors including ignoring traffic signals and hitting highway barriers. The company faces regulatory investigations, legal settlements, and criticism over marketing claims that exaggerate the system's capabilities.
What happened
A 90-minute Forbes-backed test in Los Angeles documented Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software version 13.2.9 making seven safety-critical errors, including running red lights, failing to stop for a flashing school bus sign, and attempting to drive the wrong way down a one-way street.
Tesla enthusiasts attempting a coast-to-coast drive from New York to Los Angeles crashed their Tesla Model Y into a highway barrier in New Jersey after just 55 miles, when the vehicle failed to detect construction zone obstacles.
Reported impact
The school bus detection failure persists despite similar findings two years prior by the Dawn Project, raising questions about Tesla's safety progress claims.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched a probe into Tesla's handling of crash reports involving Autopilot and Full Self-Driving. A jury in Florida ordered Tesla to pay $243 million over a 2019 Autopilot-related crash, and California's DMV is seeking to bar the company from using names like 'Autopilot' and 'Full Self-Driving' on grounds they may mislead consumers.
Index analysis
Tesla markets FSD as 'Full Self-Driving (Supervised)' but the system is categorized as Level 2 partial automation, requiring a fully attentive driver at all times. Critics argue the branding and promotion exaggerate the system's actual capabilities.
Governance controls
Tesla is piloting a robotaxi service in Austin using FSD technology, which includes a safety driver behind the wheel, unlike fully autonomous competitors such as Waymo.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.