US Expands Safety Probe Into Tesla Autopilot

US regulators expanded a probe into Tesla's "Autopilot" system, moving the investigation closer to a potential recall of a controversial feature in Elon Musk's electric vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating whether "Autopilot and associated Tesla systems may exacerbate human factors or behavioral safety risks by undermining the effectiveness of the driver's supervision," according to a summary statement. The agency now considers the probe an "engineering analysis" -- which in NHTSA parlance upgrades the status from a "preliminary evaluation" -- to determine "whether a safety recall should be initiated or the investigation should be closed." Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment. NHTSA opened the probe in August 2021 after identifying 11 crashes involving a first responder vehicle and a Tesla in which Autopilot or Traffic Aware Cruise Control was engaged, and five additional cases were later found that fit into this group.