Tesla's FSD Software Under US Probe Following Fatal Crash

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated a probe into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with the automaker’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software following four reported collisions. One of these incidents, which occurred in November 2023 in Rimrock, Arizona, resulted in a fatality. This marks the latest regulatory scrutiny of Tesla's autonomous driving technology, with the agency focusing on the system’s performance under reduced roadway visibility conditions, such as fog, sun glare, and airborne dust.

According to NHTSA, the preliminary evaluation is a critical first step in determining whether a recall is necessary if the vehicles are deemed to present a safety risk. The investigation encompasses Tesla's Model S, X, 3, Y, and Cybertruck vehicles produced between 2016 and 2024. 

"The investigation will assess whether the FSD system is capable of appropriately detecting and responding to reduced visibility conditions," stated NHTSA. The inquiry aims to establish whether Tesla has implemented updates to address these issues and evaluate their safety impacts.

The probe is a significant development as Tesla CEO Elon Musk attempts to pivot the company’s focus towards self-driving technology and robotaxis amid rising competition and weakening demand for its electric vehicles. Recently, Musk unveiled the "Cybercab," a two-seat, two-door robotaxi concept without a steering wheel or pedals. The vehicle relies on cameras and artificial intelligence to navigate roads, representing Tesla’s vision of a fully autonomous transportation future. However, to deploy such a vehicle, the company will require NHTSA's approval for a design without human controls.

In December 2023, Tesla issued a recall affecting over two million vehicles in the US to install additional safeguards in its Autopilot driver assistance system. That recall is still under review by NHTSA to determine whether the measures adequately address the issue of driver inattention.

"Weather conditions can impact the camera’s ability to see things, and I think the regulatory environment will certainly weigh in on this," said  Jeff Schuster, Vice President, GlobalData in interview with Reuters regarding FDS’s dependance on cameras. He also pointed out potential limitations, emphasizing that this could present a significant obstacle to the near-term rollout of Tesla's self-driving technology.

The fatal crash in Rimrock, where a 2021 Tesla Model Y operating in FSD mode struck and killed a pedestrian, highlights the seriousness of these concerns. In another incident currently under investigation, a driver suffered injuries. NHTSA has requested additional information from Tesla regarding other similar crashes in conditions of reduced visibility. The agency will also examine whether Tesla has modified its FSD system and the timing of any such changes.

In 2022, Reuters reported that Tesla was under criminal investigation by the US Department of Justice regarding its claims about the capabilities of its FSD system. Additionally, in April 2023, a fatal crash involving a Tesla Model S in Seattle, Washington, further underscored the risks associated with the company’s driver assistance systems. In that incident, a motorcyclist was killed when the vehicle, operating in FSD mode, failed to avoid the collision.