A Tesla robotaxi drives on the street along South Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas, on June 22, 2025
Tesla was contacted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Monday after videos posted on social media showed the company's robotaxis driving in a chaotic manner on public roads in Austin, Texas.
Elon Musk's electric vehicle maker debuted autonomous trips in Austin on Sunday, opening the service to a limited number of riders by invitation only.
In the videos shared widely online, one Tesla robotaxi was spotted traveling the wrong way down a road, and another was shown braking hard in the middle of traffic, responding to "stationary police vehicles outside its driving path," among several other examples.
A spokesperson for NHTSA said in an e-mail that the agency "is aware of the referenced incidents and is in contact with the manufacturer to gather additional information."
Tesla Vice President of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy, and regulatory counsel Casey Blaine didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
The federal safety regulator says it doesn't "pre-approve new technologies or vehicle systems." Instead, automakers certify that each vehicle model they make meets federal motor vehicle safety standards. The agency says it will investigate "incidents involving potential safety defects," and take "necessary actions to protect road safety," after assessing a wide array of reports and information.
NHTSA previously initiated an investigation into possible safety defects with Tesla's FSD-Supervised technology, or FSD Beta systems, following injurious and fatal accidents. That probe is ongoing.
The Tesla robotaxis in Austin are Model Y SUVs equipped with the company's latest FSD Unsupervised software and hardware. The pilot robotaxi service, involving fewer than two-dozen vehicles, operates during daylight hours and only in good weather, with a human safety supervisor in the front passenger seat.
The service is now limited to invited users, who agree to the terms of Tesla's "early access program." Those who have received invites are mostly promoters of Tesla's products, stock and CEO.
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