Semi-autonomous driving features have largely been under fire for some time now, but that has only intensified in the wake of multiple fatal accidents involving those same features. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into Ford’s BlueCruise feature following a pair of fatal accidents – one of which resulted in the driver of a Ford Mustang Mach-E being charged with DUI homicide. Now, the NHTSA is also investigating Tesla and its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, too.
The NHTSA had already opened an investigation into the Tesla Autopilot system back in May that applies to more than two million 2012-2024 Tesla Model 3, Model Y, Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck models after it was notified of 20 crashes that occurred when Autopilot was engaged. Now, the NHTSA is investigating another 2,410,002 vehicles – including the 2016-2024 Model S, X, 2017-2024 Model 3, 2020-2024 Model Y, and 2023-2024 Cybertruck – equipped with FSD after receiving four complaints regarding that software, too.
According to the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), it has identified four Standing General Order (SGO) reports in which a Tesla vehicle experienced a crash after entering an area of reduced roadway visibility conditions with either the beta or supervised versions of FSD engaged. In each of those crashes, the problem reportedly stems from conditions including glare from the sun, fog, or dust in the air that subsequently caused issues with FSD’s ability to see other people or even pedestrians in one instance. Sadly, that pedestrian was killed as a result, and one other crash caused an injury as well.
As a result of these crashes, the NHTSA is investigating the Tesla FSD system, which is available as an option across its vehicle lineup. The purpose of this query it to determine FSD’s ability to detect and respond appropriately to reduced roadway visibility conditions, whether any other similar crashes have occurred in reduced roadway visibility conditions – and if so, to determine the contributing circumstances for those crashes – and assess if any updates or modifications to the FSD system may affect its performance in situations where visibility is compromised.
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