US EditionUS auto safety regulator intensifies probe in Tesla vehicles with FSD
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration upgraded its probe to engineering analysis after nine crashes, including one fatality, involving Tesla's Full Self-Driving system failing in poor visibility.
- On March 19, 2026, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration elevated its probe of Tesla's Full Self-Driving to an engineering analysis, examining nine crashes and possibly prompting a recall of 3.2 million vehicles.
- Tesla's camera-only approach contrasts with other firms using radar and lidar, while regulators and auto experts say the Full Self-Driving name is misleading since drivers must stay attentive.
- The Office of Defects Investigation will assess Tesla's degradation detection system and timing of over-the-air FSD updates, with Tesla stating three crashes would not occur after those upgrades.
- Tesla shares reacted when Tesla stock fell 3.1% Thursday as heightened scrutiny coincides with Elon Musk, Tesla CEO, preparing robotaxi and no‑wheel/no‑pedal vehicle plans this year.
- The probe, opened in 2024, now sits amid broader oversight of Tesla's safety practices, and NHTSA will analyze six recent incidents under EA26002 alongside other regulatory probes.
87 Articles
87 Articles
The Billings Gazette
Bismarck TribuneTesla faces wider probe of self-driving feature
NEW YORK — Federal auto regulators escalated a probe of Tesla after several of its cars crashed while using its self-driving feature, just as CEO Elon Musk prepares to roll out a new model with no steering wheel or pedals.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk wants Tesla vehicles to be able to drive autonomously only with cameras as sensors. This is too uncertain for many experts - and authorities are also putting the system to the final test.
Elon Musk wants millions of Teslas to travel autonomously only with cameras as sensors, but the plan is increasingly worrying US regulators.
Would you drive a self-driving vehicle without a steering wheel or pedals?
U.S. federal auto regulators have escalated a probe of Tesla after several of its cars crashed while using its self-driving feature, just as CEO Elon Musk prepares to roll out a new model with no steering wheel or pedals.
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