Tesla FSD crashes in fog, sun glare–Feds open new safety investigation

Federal safety investigators have launched their 14th investigation into Tesla, focusing on the automaker's "full self-driving" (FSD) feature. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is examining four reported crashes involving Teslas using FSD, which occurred under conditions of reduced visibility such as fog, sun glare, and airborne dust. One of these incidents resulted in the death of a pedestrian in Rimrock, Arizona, in November 2023. The investigation aims to assess FSD's capability to detect and respond to low-visibility situations, as Tesla relies solely on a camera-based system rather than a more sophisticated sensor setup. NHTSA will also explore whether there are additional similar crashes and evaluate any updates made to the FSD system by Tesla. The outcome of this investigation could have significant financial implications for Tesla, potentially leading to a costly recall or the disabling of FSD, which would impact the company's revenue and market perception.

- NHTSA has opened its 14th investigation into Tesla, focusing on the FSD feature.

- Four crashes, including one fatality, prompted the investigation.

- The inquiry will assess FSD's performance in low-visibility conditions.

- Tesla's reliance on a camera-only system is under scrutiny.

- Potential outcomes could include recalls or disabling FSD, affecting Tesla's revenue.