U.S. regulators have launched an investigation into Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, raising concerns about its performance in low-visibility conditions.
On Friday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that it would probe Tesla following reports of the software’s inadequacy to respond appropriately when visibility is compromised.
So far, four incidents have been reported where Tesla vehicles collided while engaged with FSD in areas of reduced roadway visibility, including situations caused by sun glare, fog, or airborne dust.
One of these incidents tragically resulted in a fatality when a Tesla vehicle struck a pedestrian, while another incident caused injuries.
Tesla’s Full-Self Driving Investigation
The NHTSA will conduct a preliminary evaluation to analyze various factors related to the Full-Self Driving software.
Investigators will focus on FSD’s capability to detect and respond effectively in low-visibility situations. Additionally, they will explore whether other FSD-related crashes occurred under similar conditions and evaluate how they contributed to the accidents.
The agency will also determine if any updates from Tesla impacted the FSD’s performance in these challenging visibility scenarios and whether the company adequately assessed safety implications of such updates.
Impacted Tesla Models
The NHTSA’s investigation covers multiple Tesla models, including the 2016-2024 Model S and Model X, the 2017-2024 Model 3, the 2020-2024 Model Y, and the 2023-2024 Cybertruck, all equipped with Full Self-Driving capabilities.
