Former Tesla FSD Regional Manager Sues Company Over Robotaxi Safety Risks and Wrongful Termination

Javier Medrano, a former regional manager who oversaw Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) testing operations in Houston, has filed a lawsuit against Tesla, alleging he was unlawfully terminated in retaliation for reporting systemic safety oversight deficiencies. From October 2024 to May 1, 2025, Medrano managed a team of safety operators tasked with assisting in the validation of Tesla’s FSD software. His responsibilities included reviewing driving footage, conducting weekly ride-alongs, handling safety incidents, and remaining on call for extended hours during workdays. The complaint states that the number of operators under Medrano’s supervision grew to 38—far exceeding the 1:15 management ratio established by Autopilot department head Pete Schaefer. Medrano reportedly raised concerns with Schaefer about severe understaffing, which prevented his team from maintaining basic rest schedules, but received no response. Amid these resource constraints, an incident occurred within his area of responsibility. Although Medrano was off-duty at the time, he was required to remotely manage the situation and issue instructions to an operator, leaving the operator stranded in a hazardous environment for an hour—during which they were approached by a third party who appeared disoriented or impaired. Medrano subsequently filed a formal report highlighting the underlying safety risks of the incident and sought to demonstrate that Tesla had long been cutting essential resources in the Houston region. He was fired shortly thereafter. He is now seeking reinstatement to his former position and compensation for unvested equity awards, lost wages, and damages stemming from emotional distress, strained family relationships, and financial hardship. Additionally, Reuters previously reported that Tesla may have overstated the safety performance of its FSD software, with data annotators stating they frequently observed the system failing to perform basic driving tasks.