On the Dash:
- NHTSA is investigating Tesla for repeatedly delaying crash reports tied to its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems.
- The probe will determine if Tesla has fully complied with federal reporting rules and whether more incidents remain unreported.
- Regulators are also scrutinizing Tesla’s expanding robotaxi fleet as part of ongoing safety reviews.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into Tesla over repeated delays in reporting crashes involving its advanced driver-assistance systems.
Under a 2021 federal order, automakers are required to submit reports on crashes linked to technologies such as Autopilot or Full Self-Driving within one to five days, depending on severity. NHTSA said Tesla has filed numerous reports months after the incidents occurred, either in batches or on a rolling basis.
Tesla attributed the delays to issues with data collection, according to a filing published Thursday. Although the company has said it resolved the problem, NHTSA launched a probe to determine the cause of the reporting gaps and to assess whether any additional crash data remains outstanding. Automakers that fail to comply with the reporting mandate can face civil penalties.
The regulator recently extended reporting windows for certain crashes involving driver-assistance systems. Severe crashes must still be reported within five days, while less serious incidents may now be filed within a month.
Tesla’s automated driving technology has been under federal scrutiny for years. NHTSA is continuing its review of the company’s Full Self-Driving software to evaluate how the system responds to conditions such as sun glare and fog. That probe covers about 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with the technology.
The agency has also raised concerns about Tesla’s launch of a robotaxi fleet in Austin, Texas. Regulators requested details last month about the number of vehicles in service, whether they can be remotely controlled, and their maximum operating speeds. NHTSA also asked for a test drive, though it is unclear whether it took place.
