US probes Tesla's Full Self-Driving software in 2.4 mln cars after fatal crash
NHTSA opens inquiry after 4 reports of crashes where FSD used
First step to any potential recall
Tesla's camera-only approach has attracted some criticism
Updates throughout with details of pedestrian crash, DOJ review, updates share price
By David Shepardson and Akash Sriram
WASHINGTON, Oct 18 (Reuters) -The U.S. auto safety regulator on Friday opened an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with the automaker's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software after four reported collisions, including a 2023 fatal crash.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) preliminary evaluation is the first step before the agency could seek a recall of the vehicles if it believes they pose an unreasonable risk to safety.
The new scrutiny of the advanced driver assistance system comes as Tesla CEO Elon Musk looks to shift Tesla's focus to self-driving technology and robotaxis as it faces growing competition and weak demand in its auto business.
Last week, Musk unveiled Tesla's two-seater, two-door "Cybercab" robotaxi concept without a steering wheel and pedals that would use cameras and artificial intelligence to help navigate roads. Tesla would need NHTSA approval to deploy a vehicle without human controls.
NHTSA said it was opening the inquiry after four reports of crashes where FSD was engaged during reduced roadway visibility like sun glare, fog, or airborne dust. A pedestrian was killed in Rimrock, Arizona, in November 2023 after being struck by a 2021 Tesla Model Y, NHTSA said. Another crash under investigation involved a reported injury.
The probe covers 2016-2024 Model S and X vehicles with the optional system as well as 2017-2024 Model 3, 2020-2024 Model Y, and 2023-2024 Cybertruck vehicles.
The company did not respond to requests for comment. Its shares were up 0.1% in early trading.
Tesla says on its website its FSD software in on-road vehicles requires active driver supervision and does not make vehicles autonomous.
NHTSA is reviewing the ability of FSD’s engineering controls to "detect and respond appropriately to reduced roadway visibility conditions."
The agency is asking if other similar FSD crashes have occurred in reduced roadway visibility conditions, and if Tesla has updated or modified the FSD system in a way that may affect it in such conditions.
NHTSA said the "review will assess the timing, purpose, and capabilities of any such updates, as well as Tesla’s assessment of their safety impact," the agency said.
Tesla's FSD technology has been in development for years and aims for high automation, where its vehicle can handle most driving tasks without human intervention.
Tesla in December recalled more than two million U.S. vehicles to install new safeguards in its Autopilot advanced driver-assistance system. NHTSA is still probing whether that recall is adequate to address concerns drivers are not paying attention.
Tesla disclosed in October 2023 that the U.S. Justice Department issued subpoenas related to its FSD and Autopilot systems. Reuters reported in October 2022 that Tesla was under criminal investigation.
There have been at least two fatal accidents involving the FSD technology, including an incident in April in which a Tesla Model S car was in FSD mode when it hit and killed a 28-year-old motorcyclist in the Seattle area.
Tesla's "camera-only" approach to partially and fully autonomous driving systems, some industry experts have said, could cause issues in low-visibility conditions as the vehicles do not have a set of back-up sensors.
"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 at GlobalData.
"That could be one of the major roadblocks in what I would call a near-term launch of this technology and these products," he said of Tesla's robotaxis.
Tesla's rivals that operate robotaxis rely on expensive sensors such as lidar and radar to detect driving environments.
Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru and David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Arun Koyyur, Chizu Nomiyama and Mark Potter
Related Assets
Latest News
Disclaimer: The XM Group entities provide execution-only service and access to our Online Trading Facility, permitting a person to view and/or use the content available on or via the website, is not intended to change or expand on this, nor does it change or expand on this. Such access and use are always subject to: (i) Terms and Conditions; (ii) Risk Warnings; and (iii) Full Disclaimer. Such content is therefore provided as no more than general information. Particularly, please be aware that the contents of our Online Trading Facility are neither a solicitation, nor an offer to enter any transactions on the financial markets. Trading on any financial market involves a significant level of risk to your capital.
All material published on our Online Trading Facility is intended for educational/informational purposes only, and does not contain – nor should it be considered as containing – financial, investment tax or trading advice and recommendations; or a record of our trading prices; or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instruments; or unsolicited financial promotions to you.
Any third-party content, as well as content prepared by XM, such as: opinions, news, research, analyses, prices and other information or links to third-party sites contained on this website are provided on an “as-is” basis, as general market commentary, and do not constitute investment advice. To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, you must note and accept that the content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, it would be considered as marketing communication under the relevant laws and regulations. Please ensure that you have read and understood our Notification on Non-Independent Investment. Research and Risk Warning concerning the foregoing information, which can be accessed here.
