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NHTSA intensifies probe into Tesla's self-driving technology flaws

Mar 19, 2026, 5:05 PM20
(Update: Mar 19, 2026, 6:46 PM)
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NHTSA intensifies probe into Tesla's self-driving technology flaws

  • The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has expanded a probe into Tesla vehicles, focusing on 3.2 million units with Full Self-Driving technology.
  • The investigation raises serious concerns about the FSD system's effectiveness in detecting hazards in poor visibility conditions.
  • These events may lead to regulatory actions, possibly including a recall, which could significantly impact Tesla's future plans and reputation.
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In response to a worrying trend of crashes involving Tesla vehicles operating under its Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States has broadened its investigation to include 3.2 million Tesla cars. The probe, which has been underway since October 2024, originally focused on 2.4 million vehicles due to concerns about the ability of the FSD system to detect and react to adverse driving conditions, particularly poor visibility caused by factors such as glare, dust, and fog. NHTSA's findings indicate that the camera-based system may not provide adequate warnings to drivers when visibility deteriorates, potentially leading to crashes. Furthermore, NHTSA has identified nine incidents, including one fatal crash, potentially linked to these weaknesses in the self-driving software, with additional accidents under scrutiny. Tesla's reliance on a camera-only approach has come under fire, especially as the company transitions away from using radars to support its vision system, prompting further concerns from regulators. Tesla's decision to rename its driver assistance technology to 'Full Self-Driving (Supervised)' reflects ongoing discussions about the clarity of terms used in marketing autonomous vehicles. As Tesla's ambitions for robotaxis and broader applications of its self-driving technology grow, the regulatory landscape becomes increasingly complex. The NHTSA's investigations are not only focused on incidents related to visibility but also address broader traffic safety violations linked to FSD and another separate probe regarding safety issues around door handles. These ongoing evaluations highlight the challenges Tesla faces in securing regulatory approvals necessary for expanding its self-driving services, particularly in international markets such as China and Europe where scrutiny remains high. The implications of these investigations are significant for Tesla's plans for a future built on fully autonomous vehicle services. As Tesla aims to assure investors about its potential in the self-driving software market amid declining vehicle sales, the outcome of these investigations could dictate the course of its robotaxi and no-pedal vehicles, redefining the future of mobility in urban environments.

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