US investigates Tesla’s full self-driving after crashes in low-visibility, including one killing pedestrian

According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the probe was initiated on Thursday after Tesla reported four crashes that occurred when vehicles entered areas with sun glare, fog, or airborne dust.

An agency database says the pedestrian was killed in Rimrock, Arizona, in November of 2023 after being hit by a 2021 Tesla Model Y, according to ABC News.

The investigation covers approximately 2.4 million Tesla vehicles from model years 2016 to 2024. NHTSA stated that investigators will assess the system’s ability to "detect and respond appropriately to reduced roadway visibility conditions, and if so, the contributing circumstances for these crashes."

The agency will also examine if any system updates influenced its performance in such conditions. Tesla, which has previously emphasised that human drivers must be prepared to take over from the system at any time, has yet to comment on the new probe.

The US investigation also focuses on the capabilities of Tesla's full self-driving system beyond merely ensuring drivers are attentive. Tesla has previously faced two recalls of the system, linked to the vehicle's programming to roll through stop signs at low speeds and other traffic law violations.

Critics have argued that the system’s reliance solely on cameras for hazard detection is inadequate, particularly under poor visibility conditions, and that additional sensors like radar and lidar, used by other autonomous vehicle developers, could improve safety.

The probe also follows a separate three-year investigation into Tesla’s less advanced autopilot system, which had been involved in crashes with stationary emergency vehicles on roads. The prior investigation concluded last April, resulting in a recall to improve the system's monitoring of driver attentiveness. However, a follow-up investigation was launched to evaluate the effectiveness of the recall.

Last week, Tesla held an event unveiling a fully autonomous robotaxi prototype without steering wheels or pedals, with plans for autonomous operations next year and robotaxi services by 2026, with current investigation likely having implications for Tesla's autonomous vehicle ambitions.

This comes shortly after an incident in China involving a Tesla in autopilot mode. On October 5, traffic police in Jiangxi released footage showing a Tesla crashing into a road barrier on a motorway.

The vehicle failed to recognise a construction zone marked by water barriers, leading to a collision. After hitting the barriers, the car struck a concrete wall and veered into an adjacent lane before stopping. The driver admitted to briefly looking away and wiping his hands when the accident occurred, indicating he did not react in time to the construction signs.