The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is escalating its investigation into Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software, specifically concerning its performance in low-visibility conditions. The probe has been upgraded to an “engineering analysis”—the highest level of scrutiny before a potential recall—after initial findings raised serious safety concerns. This action signifies growing federal pressure on Tesla to address critical flaws in its autonomous driving technology.
Initial Investigation and Rising Concerns
The investigation began in October 2024 following reports of at least four crashes occurring in low-visibility scenarios, including one fatal pedestrian incident. Over the past year-and-a-half, NHTSA has been exchanging data with Tesla, identifying additional crashes where the Full Self-Driving system failed to adequately respond to poor visibility conditions. The core issue is that the system does not reliably detect degraded camera performance or provide timely alerts to the driver when visibility is reduced.
Transparency Issues and Underreporting
NHTSA also revealed that Tesla has been slow to provide complete information about a software update designed to address these low-visibility problems. Despite Tesla claiming to have begun developing a fix in June 2024—before the probe even started—the company has not confirmed whether the update was ever deployed or which vehicles received it.
Furthermore, the agency suspects potential underreporting of crashes due to limitations in Tesla’s data collection and labeling processes. This means the true extent of the system’s failures may not yet be fully understood. In multiple crashes, the software either failed to recognize poor visibility or did not alert the driver with enough time to react.
Broader Scrutiny of Tesla’s Autopilot Features
This investigation is one of two active probes into Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software. The other inquiry is examining over 80 instances where the driver-assistance system violated basic traffic laws, such as running red lights. These actions come amid Tesla’s push to launch a robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, further intensifying the stakes for both the company and regulators.
The NHTSA’s actions underscore the critical need for rigorous testing and transparency in autonomous driving technology. Failure to address these safety concerns could have severe consequences for public safety and hinder the broader adoption of self-driving vehicles.
The federal government is making it clear that Tesla must prioritize safety and provide full cooperation in these investigations to prevent further incidents and ensure the reliability of its autonomous driving features.
