Tesla Full Self-Driving safety incidents under NHTSA scrutiny
Tesla's Full Self-Driving system has been subject to regulatory scrutiny following reported safety incidents including vehicles veering into oncoming traffic and a fatal 2024 crash. The NHTSA investigated traffic violations during Tesla's Austin Robotaxi launch event, while the company faces a wrongful death lawsuit related to a New Jersey crash.
What happened
FuelArc, a vehicle review site, compiled video clips showing three Tesla vehicles veering into oncoming traffic while in Full Self-Driving mode, with drivers forced to manually intervene to prevent collisions.
The NHTSA probed possible traffic violations by Tesla Robotaxis operating on FSD during the company's Austin Robotaxi launch event in June 2025. One vehicle made a wrong turn and malfunctioned while attempting to correct it.
Tesla is facing a wrongful death lawsuit following a 2024 crash in New Jersey in which a Tesla Model S veered off the road, killing all three occupants.
Reported impact
Drivers experienced extreme confidence in FSD features despite the system's demonstrated safety issues, leading them to reduce attentiveness while behind the wheel.
The incidents raise consumer trust concerns, as Tesla has not been transparent in safety reports.
Index analysis
The videos highlight persistent safety issues with FSD across different software versions of the system.
Governance controls
Tesla has advised consumers that FSD remains a hands-on feature requiring driver attention, though this guidance has not prevented overreliance.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
This record was researched and written by the Index from original reporting. Its sources are still being verified by an editor, and they are listed here once that check is complete. Until then the record carries no reviewer.