The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched an investigation into Tesla on August 19th, following reports by Reuters. The probe focuses on allegations that Tesla delayed mandatory crash reports involving its Autopilot driver-assistance features, including the Full Self-Driving system. According to a federal filing reviewed by InsideEVs, the investigation revealed that Tesla submitted incident reports several months after the crashes occurred, violating the reporting timeline required by the Standing General Order.
This investigation raises concerns about Tesla’s safety practices regarding its driver-assistance technologies. Despite Tesla’s continuous clarification that its vehicles are not fully autonomous, misconceptions among consumers persist. Tesla’s Autopilot and Full Self-Driving features are categorized as Level 2 driver-assistance systems, meaning they assist the driver with vehicle operations but do not replace human control. Drivers are legally responsible for the vehicle and must remain attentive even when these systems are engaged.
In contrast, systems like General Motors’ Super Cruise offer hands-free highway assistance but still require driver oversight. The distinction between these systems and fully autonomous technologies like Waymo’s self-driving taxis is crucial. Tesla’s deployment of a robotaxi pilot program using the same hardware as its driver-assistance system contributes to consumer confusion.
Tesla has defended the safety of its Autopilot system, claiming it surpasses human driving safety metrics. However, independent experts lack access to sufficient data to verify these assertions. The company’s reluctance to disclose information and tendency to attribute incidents to driver error have raised eyebrows. The NHTSA investigation seeks to determine whether Tesla intentionally delayed crash reports to protect the reputation of its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving technologies.
It will be intriguing to see the outcome of the investigation and whether Tesla’s claim of internal data collection system failures holds up. While incompetence in reporting procedures is a common occurrence in corporations, the probe aims to uncover any deliberate efforts to withhold critical information. For further inquiries, you can reach out to the author at Mack.Hogan@insideevs.com.