Tesla Granted 5-Week Extension to Respond to FSD Defect Probe Over Red-Light Violations and Other Traffic Offenses

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has granted Tesla a five-week extension to submit its formal response regarding an ongoing investigation into defects in its "Full Self-Driving" (FSD) system. Launched in October 2023, the investigation focuses on traffic violations—such as running red lights and driving the wrong way—that occur while FSD is engaged, as well as the system’s performance in low-visibility conditions. One incident under scrutiny has already resulted in a fatality. Tesla stated it needs to manually review 8,313 relevant records and, at its current processing pace, requires the new deadline of February 23 to complete its response. The company added that it is simultaneously managing multiple regulatory investigations and cannot, in the short term, deliver all required data submissions at the necessary quality level. Tesla also plans to request further extensions to supplement its response with additional details, including software versions, system alerts, and specific accident information. Meanwhile, California regulators have raised concerns that Tesla may be overstating the capabilities of its FSD system and are considering imposing a 30-day sales suspension as a penalty.