Probe Launched Into Tesla's Delayed Crash Reporting For Autonomous Vehicles

Federal transportation safety regulators have announced they will examine Tesla's pattern of submitting crash reports well beyond required deadlines for incidents involving automated driving features and autonomous vehicle technology, news  agency Reuters has reported.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has documented multiple cases where Tesla submitted incident reports months after the mandated timeframe. Federal regulations stipulate that manufacturers must file crash reports within one to five business days after becoming aware of an incident. These requirements were updated in April to strengthen oversight.

Also read: Tesla India to Expand to Bengaluru as Its Third City After Mumbai, Delhi NCR

Tesla's Batch Reporting System Under Review

According to NHTSA findings, Tesla has employed two distinct methods for submitting required documentation. Some reports arrived as large batch submissions, while others were filed on a staggered timeline.

During agency discussions, Tesla attributed the timing issues to problems with their internal data collection processes. The automaker claimed to have resolved these technical difficulties, though NHTSA continues its review.

Also read: Tesla Autopilot Crash: EV Maker Faces $243 Million Fine That Might Derail Robotaxi Expansion Plans

Full Self-Driving Technology Probe

Since October, federal investigators have been examining Tesla's Full Self-Driving system following crashes in poor visibility conditions. This investigation encompasses 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with autonomous driving capabilities, triggered by four documented collisions, including one fatality in 2023.

A separate January investigation covers 2.6 million Tesla vehicles regarding crashes linked to a feature enabling remote vehicle operation by users.

Austin Robotaxi Deployment Under Review

NHTSA is actively monitoring Tesla's self-driving robotaxi service launched in Austin, Texas this past June. In a July correspondence, the agency requested clarification on whether Tesla personnel can remotely operate these autonomous vehicles.