A Tesla Model 3 vehicle drives using FSD (Full Self-Driving) in Encinitas, California, U.S., October 18, 2023.
NHTSA stated: “The agency is in contact with the manufacturer to gather additional information. The human behind the wheel is fully responsible for driving the vehicle and complying with all traffic safety laws.” The agency emphasized that despite the system’s capabilities, drivers are required to maintain control and ensure safe operation at all times.
Earlier this month, NHTSA launched an investigation into approximately 2.9 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD after receiving numerous reports of potential safety violations and crashes. According to NHTSA, the investigation involves 58 reports of incidents related to traffic safety, including 14 crashes and 23 injuries. The review focuses on whether the FSD system may induce unsafe driving behavior or fail to comply with traffic laws under certain conditions.
Tesla did not immediately respond to media requests for comment. However, last week the company reposted a social media post describing the Mad Max mode as one that “accelerates and weaves through traffic at an incredible pace, all while still being super smooth. It drives your car like a sports car. If you are running late, this is the mode for you.”
In its earlier statement this month, NHTSA noted that the FSD system, though marketed as a driver assistance feature requiring human supervision, has “induced vehicle behavior that violated traffic safety laws.” The agency also cited six reports in which Tesla vehicles with FSD engaged “approached an intersection with a red traffic signal, continued into the intersection against the red light, and were subsequently involved in a crash with other vehicles.”
Tesla’s website explains that the FSD system “will drive you almost anywhere with your active supervision, requiring minimal intervention,” but clarifies that it does not make the car autonomous. The FSD package is a more advanced system than Tesla’s standard Autopilot, designed to assist with navigation, lane changes, and traffic signal recognition while still relying on the driver’s active engagement.
NHTSA has been investigating Tesla’s driver assistance systems for more than a year. In October 2024, the agency opened a separate investigation into about 2.4 million Tesla vehicles with FSD following four collisions that occurred in conditions of reduced visibility. The Washington Post previously reported that NHTSA had shown interest in the Mad Max mode as part of its broader examination of the safety implications of Tesla’s advanced driving technologies.
