Authorities discover additional reports of Tesla's Full Self-Driving system running red lights and changing lanes

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has documented at least 80 cases in which Teslas Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system allegedly ignored traffic signals or veered into incorrect lanes, according to a recent communication sent to the automaker.

The agency stated that it received 62 complaints directly from Tesla owners, 14 reports submitted by Tesla itself, and four media accounts describing potential traffic violations. This is an increase from roughly 50 incidents noted when NHTSA first launched an investigation into these behaviors in October.

NHTSAs Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is examining whether Teslas driver-assistance software can reliably detect and respond to traffic signals, signs, and lane markings. The agency is also assessing whether the system adequately alerts drivers in situations where the software fails to perform correctly. Tesla has been asked to respond by January 19, 2026.

The surge in reports is partly notable because the initial set of complaints highlighted multiple incidents at a single intersection in Joppa, Maryland, which Tesla stated had already been addressed. The locations of the newly reported incidents were not disclosed. Teslas own submissions to the agency often include heavy redactions.

This update coincides with CEO Elon Musks recent claim on X that the latest FSD version will enable texting while driving, despite this being illegal in nearly all U.S. states. NHTSA has not publicly commented on Musks statement.

The letter initiates NHTSAs discovery process, requesting detailed information from Tesla. Among the requests are statistics on how many vehicles are equipped with FSD, the frequency of its use, and any customer complaints related to these specific software issues, including those from fleet operators or legal proceedings.

This represents the second active investigation into Teslas FSD. In October 2024, NHTSA began probing how the software manages low-visibility conditions such as fog or intense sunlight.

Author: Logan Reeves