Tracking the fatal Tesla Autopilot and FSD crashes hidden in its data
Published: 2026-09-01T13:00:19.646Z • Permanent link
Tesla's Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) systems have been plagued by a series of fatal crashes, raising serious concerns about the safety and reliability of the company's advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). According to recent reports, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been receiving data from Tesla on these incidents, but the company's responses have been shrouded in mystery. In 2020, Tesla reported 303 crashes involving its Autopilot system, but the NHTSA's website only lists 104 incidents, sparking suspicions about the company's transparency.
On March 21, 2022, a fatal crash occurred in Scottsdale, Arizona, involving a Tesla Model S with Autopilot engaged. The incident resulted in the deaths of two people. Tesla's initial report to the NHTSA claimed that the driver was not paying attention, but an investigation by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) found that the Autopilot system had failed to detect a red light ahead. Similar incidents have occurred in other countries, including the UK and Canada.
In May 2022, Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, announced that the company would begin testing its FSD system on public roads, despite ongoing concerns about safety. Musk has repeatedly stated that FSD is capable of achieving Level 5 autonomy, but experts argue that the system is still in its infancy and requires significant further development.
The recent string of fatal crashes involving Tesla's Autopilot and FSD systems has significant implications for the entire AI domain. Companies like Waymo, Cruise, and Argo AI are also developing autonomous driving technologies, and the public's perception of these systems will be shaped by Tesla's handling of this crisis. The NHTSA has announced plans to issue new regulations governing the development and deployment of ADAS, and Tesla's response to these incidents will be closely watched.
Regulatory bodies in other countries, such as the UK and Europe, are also taking a closer look at the safety of ADAS systems. The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) has announced plans to issue new crash tests for vehicles with advanced safety features, including ADAS. The impact of these regulations will be felt across the entire automotive industry, and Tesla's position on the issue will be a key factor in shaping the future of autonomous driving.
Tesla's struggles with Autopilot and FSD are not isolated to the United States. Similar issues have plagued other companies in the AI domain, including Waymo and Cruise. In 2020, a Waymo self-driving taxi crashed in Phoenix, Arizona, killing a woman. The incident led to a significant overhaul of Waymo's safety protocols and testing procedures.
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