Overview
- NHTSA launched a preliminary investigation covering 2,882,566 Tesla vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving in supervised and beta versions.
- Reports cite vehicles running red lights and traveling the wrong way, with 14 crashes and 23 injuries, including repeated incidents at a Maryland intersection where Tesla implemented fixes.
- Regulators will examine how well FSD detects traffic signals, signs, lanes, and rail crossings, and whether driver alerts provide adequate time to intervene.
- Tesla states that drivers must remain fully attentive with hands on the wheel, while NHTSA has authority to mandate remedies if it finds an unreasonable safety risk.
- As scrutiny intensifies, Tesla introduced lower-priced Model Y and Model 3 variants priced at $39,990 and $36,990, and the stock slipped about 2% in late Thursday trading.