Federal Authorities Launch Probe Into Tesla’s Autopilot System Following Crashes

An unsold 2021 Model X sports-utility vehicle sits at a Tesla dealership in Littleton, Colo., on Jan. 24, 2021. David Zalubowski/AP Photo

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a formal probe into Tesla’s partially automated driving system after a series of collisions with parked emergency vehicles.

According to an NHTSA document issued on Aug. 13 (pdf), the agency’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has opened a probe encompassing 765,000 Tesla vehicles.