The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced thatOfficially launches investigation into TeslaThe focus is on Tesla's record of reporting accidents related to its Autopilot and FSD (Full Self-Driving) systems. According to the report, Tesla may have delayed or even inaccurate accident reporting, which is inconsistent with current regulatory requirements.
Report suspicious crash
According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), automakers must report accidents involving autonomous or assisted driving systems to the agency within five days of becoming aware of them. However, investigations have revealed that Tesla has repeatedly submitted accident data months later, significantly defying the immediate reporting requirement.
Especially since Tesla vehicles themselves have the function of automatically recording and transmitting data in real time when an accident occurs, theoretically the notification should be completed within a few minutes, which makes the reporting delay even more abnormal.
Tesla acknowledged that there was a reporting issue, but stressed that it was due to a system error and has been corrected. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that it will continue to investigate, not only to review whether there are still unreported incidents, but also to clarify whether the submitted information contains complete data.
Distrust of regulators
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) isn't entirely convinced by Tesla's claims, citing past investigations. Besides issues related to Autopilot and FSD, NHTSA is also investigating Tesla's remote parking feature, which has been linked to numerous accidents. The effectiveness of software updates released following a major recall is also being reviewed.
Tesla also has a tough court record. Earlier this year, the company lost a lawsuit over a fatal crash involving Autopilot, during which it was revealed that it had misled police and plaintiffs, deliberately concealing crucial data.
Ranked first in the accident list
According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) between 2021 and 2024, Tesla vehicles were involved in over 2300 accidents involving autonomous or assisted driving systems, far exceeding any other automaker. By comparison, GM (General Motors), ranked second, had only 55 accidents, a significant gap.
This figure reflects the widespread adoption of Tesla's autonomous driving system, while also highlighting safety controversies and regulatory concerns. As Tesla actively promotes FSD as a differentiating selling point, how it strikes a balance between innovation and safety will continue to be a focus of public attention.
The investigation is still in its early stages, with no definitive conclusions yet. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's actions indicate that regulators are gradually tightening their oversight of autonomous driving technology. For Tesla, beyond technological improvements, rebuilding trust in its data transparency and integrity may be a more significant challenge.
