Tesla Robotaxi Under Investigation After Safety Violations on Launch Day
Tesla's robotaxi service launched in Austin, Texas on the weekend of June 24, 2025, with videos showing vehicles exceeding speed limits and entering oncoming lanes. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation and requested information from Tesla after becoming aware of the incidents, which Tesla asked be kept confidential.
What happened
Tesla launched a robotaxi service in Austin, Texas on the weekend of June 24, 2025, initially with approximately 10 vehicles operating in a limited area of the city with safety drivers positioned in the front passenger seat.
Videos posted by influencers and Tesla investors showed robotaxis exceeding speed limits and entering oncoming traffic lanes, including crossing double yellow lines before returning to the correct lane. No vehicles were present in the opposing lane at the time of one recorded incident.
The NHTSA became aware of the incidents through the videos and requested information from Tesla. Tesla responded to the agency's detailed questionnaire about its Supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) system but requested that its responses be kept confidential.
Reported impact
Witnesses reported that during operation, a Tesla employee remained with a finger pressed on a reprogrammed button serving as a safety switch, indicating the system may not meet Level 4 autonomous driving requirements required for commercial robotaxi services in Texas.
Videos showed robotaxis dropping passengers at intersections and other safety concerns that drew the NHTSA's attention.
Index analysis
The NHTSA confirmed awareness of the incidents and stated it would continue collecting information from Tesla. The agency clarified that it does not pre-approve new technologies but investigates safety failures based on complaints and available evidence.
The FSD system used in the robotaxi was already under investigation by the NHTSA for involvement in serious accidents prior to the robotaxi launch.
Governance controls
Tesla historically avoids publicly disclosing data about its Autopilot and FSD systems, and has opposed legal efforts to release accident data, claiming such disclosure would cause 'financial harm'.
The NHTSA stated it will continue enforcing the Vehicle Safety Act against all vehicle manufacturers through its data-driven and risk-based investigative process, with potential for additional measures depending on information obtained.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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