(Detroit) – The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has raised concerns about Tesla’s communication regarding its “Full Self-Driving” (FSD) system, stating that public statements made by the company imply the vehicles can operate autonomously, despite Tesla’s own documentation and regulations requiring human supervision.
In a letter sent to Tesla on May 7, 2024, the NHTSA requested that the company revisit its communications to ensure consistency with the instructions given to drivers. The letter was prompted by an ongoing investigation into crashes involving Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD in low-visibility conditions, such as sun glare and fog. One of these incidents resulted in a fatality in Arizona.
Tesla has long faced criticism for its naming of partially automated systems like FSD and Autopilot, which many users mistakenly believe make the vehicles fully autonomous. The NHTSA’s letter highlighted discrepancies between Tesla’s official materials, which emphasize the need for human intervention, and public posts made by the company that seem to suggest its vehicles can drive themselves.
| Tesla’s Public Messaging | NHTSA Concerns |
|---|---|
| Full Self-Driving trials promoted as autonomous | Implies driver disengagement, undermining safety |
| Tesla reposts stories of drivers using FSD without intervention | Contradicts official warnings about driver supervision |
| Videos showing hands-off driving | Promotes misconception of full autonomy, despite risks |
The NHTSA pointed to several Tesla posts on X (formerly Twitter), including one that highlighted a driver using FSD to reach a hospital during a heart attack. The post portrayed the system as being capable of driving independently, while the company’s user manuals stress that drivers must stay alert and ready to take control.
In addition, the NHTSA noted a video on Tesla’s website showing a person with their hands off the wheel, while stating, “The person in the driver’s seat is only there for legal reasons. He is not doing anything. The car is driving itself.” These messages, according to the agency, conflict with Tesla’s own warnings about the limitations of its system.
The investigation also focuses on FSD’s performance in conditions with low visibility, such as when the vehicle faces sun glare or fog, which are common driving hazards. The agency is concerned that drivers may not be adequately informed when the system reaches its limits and may not be able to intervene in time.
Tesla has been asked to respond to the agency by December 18, 2024, though the company may request an extension. The results of the investigation are expected to impact future regulations surrounding self-driving technology and the safety standards for autonomous vehicles.
The timing of the investigation also coincides with the growing influence of Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, who has advocated for reduced government regulations on autonomous vehicles. Some critics fear that Musk’s close relationship with government officials could affect the outcome of the investigation.
Michael Brooks, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, expressed concern that Musk’s influence could undermine the regulatory process. “It’s a huge problem for democracy,” he said, referring to the potential for business moguls to influence safety regulations that directly affect their own companies.
