### Tesla's Autonomous Driving Technology Under Federal Scrutiny Amid Safety Concerns Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology is facing significant scrutiny from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) following numerous reports of traffic violations and safety incidents. This investigation could jeopardize Elon Musk's ambitious plans to revolutionize transportation with fully autonomous vehicles through software upgrades. The NHTSA has opened its third probe into Tesla this year, highlighting ongoing concerns about the safety and reliability of the company's autonomous driving features, which have been linked to multiple accidents and traffic law violations. ### Breakdown of the Investigation and Its Implications 1. **Scope of the Investigation**: - The NHTSA is investigating approximately **2.88 million Tesla vehicles** equipped with the FSD system due to **58 reports** of traffic violations, including running red lights and veering into oncoming traffic [https://www.financial-world.org/news/news/financial/29160/tesla-under-investigation-for-autonomous-issues]. 2. **Previous Incidents**: - Reports indicate that Tesla vehicles have been involved in incidents where they failed to stop at red lights or incorrectly changed lanes, raising serious safety concerns [https://sfist.com/2025/10/11/nhtsa-to-probe-teslas-self-driving-mode-after-reports-of-running-red-lights-veering-into-traffic]. 3. **Regulatory Pressure**: - This investigation adds to a series of inquiries into Tesla's autonomous technology, which has already faced criticism for its performance and safety record. The scrutiny is particularly intense as Musk aims to expand Tesla's robotaxi service [https://www.euronews.com/business/2025/10/10/us-watchdog-probes-self-driving-tesla-cars-in-blow-to-elon-musk]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Incident Reports**: - The NHTSA has documented **58 incidents** where Tesla's FSD system allegedly ignored traffic signals, leading to dangerous situations [https://www.abc27.com/national/tesla-self-driving-software-under-investigation-after-traffic-violations]. - **Nature of Violations**: - Specific complaints include vehicles running red lights, incorrect lane usage, and failure to stop at traffic signals, which have raised alarms about the reliability of the FSD technology [https://www.financial-world.org/news/news/financial/29156/regulators-probe-teslas-driverassist-after-redlight-and-wronglane-reports]. ### Conclusion: The Road Ahead for Tesla's FSD Technology **In summary**, Tesla's Full Self-Driving system is under intense investigation due to multiple reports of traffic violations and safety incidents. The findings from this inquiry could have significant implications for Tesla's future, particularly regarding its autonomous vehicle ambitions. 1. **Investigation Initiated**: The NHTSA has opened a probe into nearly **2.9 million vehicles** due to safety concerns [https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/09/us-opens-probe-into-nearly-2point9-million-tesla-vehicles-over-fsd-traffic-violations.html]. 2. **Safety Violations Documented**: Reports of **58 incidents** involving traffic law violations have been confirmed [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/technology/3657861-nhtsa-probes-teslas-full-self-driving-system-for-safety-violations]. 3. **Potential Impact on Business**: The ongoing scrutiny could hinder Musk's plans for a widespread rollout of autonomous vehicles, as regulatory bodies demand higher safety standards [https://www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/tesla-self-driving-investigation-crashes/68987161]. As the investigation unfolds, the future of Tesla's autonomous driving technology remains uncertain, with potential ramifications for the company's reputation and operational strategy.