Tesla Faces Expanded U.S. Probe Over Self-Driving Performance

Federal safety regulators raise concerns about Tesla's automated driving-assistance system in poor weather conditions.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 11:19am

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has escalated its probe into Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system, which controls driving and steering functions but requires drivers to continuously monitor the road. The agency has raised concerns about the technology's ability to handle poor roadway conditions, and the expanded investigation could result in a recall campaign or other enforcement action.

Why it matters

This probe highlights ongoing safety concerns around Tesla's self-driving technology, which has faced scrutiny over its performance in various driving conditions. The outcome of the investigation could have significant implications for Tesla and the broader autonomous vehicle industry.

The details

The NHTSA said it was escalating its investigation into Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system, which allows vehicles to handle some driving tasks but requires the human driver to remain alert and ready to take control at all times. The agency has raised concerns about the system's ability to navigate poor weather conditions, such as heavy rain or snow.

  • The NHTSA opened its initial probe in 2021.

The players

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

The U.S. federal agency responsible for regulating and overseeing motor vehicle safety.

Tesla

An American electric vehicle and clean energy company that designs and manufactures electric cars, energy storage products, and related products.

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What’s next

The expanded NHTSA investigation could lead to a recall campaign or other enforcement action against Tesla if the agency finds significant safety issues with the Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system.

The takeaway

This probe underscores the ongoing challenges and safety concerns surrounding the development and deployment of autonomous driving technologies, even as companies like Tesla continue to push the boundaries of what's possible.