The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into Tesla’s self-driving software systems, covering 2.4 million vehicles manufactured between 2016 and 2024. This move by the agency marks the first step towards a potential recall of Tesla vehicles, which are spearheaded by tech mogul Elon Musk.
The probe comes after four crash reports involving Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” software, with incidents occurring in conditions of reduced visibility such as fog or sun glares. Tragically, one of the crashes resulted in a pedestrian fatality, while another left an individual injured.
NHTSA’s evaluation aims to determine if Tesla’s self-driving systems can effectively detect and respond to reduced visibility conditions, as well as investigate if similar incidents have occurred in the past. Despite being labeled as “full self-driving,” the agency notes that Tesla’s system is actually a “partial driving automation system.”
The announcement from NHTSA comes on the heels of Elon Musk’s unveiling of the Cybercab concept, a fully autonomous robotaxi that operates without traditional controls like pedals or a steering wheel. While Musk touted a 2027 release date for the Cybercab, some analysts and investors remain skeptical, with Tesla’s stock dropping 8% since the Cybercab rollout.
Unlike competitors like Waymo, Tesla’s self-driving technology relies heavily on cameras and artificial intelligence, eschewing expensive sensors like Lidar and radar. This cost-effective approach has drawn both praise and criticism, with the outcome of NHTSA’s investigation likely to have significant implications for Tesla and the future of autonomous driving technology.
