Severe harmAutonomous Vehicle Harm2021 to 2026 (ongoing)United States

Tesla Autopilot and Full Self-Driving Fatalities

NHTSA opened Autopilot investigation August 2021 after 11 collisions with parked emergency vehicles. Expanded probe (EA22002) reviewed 956 crashes from 2018 to August 2023, confirming 13 fatalities and finding 'foreseeable misuse and avoidable crashes' due to inadequate driver monitoring. TeslaDeaths.com tracker has verified 65 Autopilot-linked fatalities as of October 2025. October 2024: new NHTSA investigation into FSD after 4 crashes in reduced visibility including a November 2023 pedestrian death in Rimrock, Arizona.

AI system:Tesla Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD)

Impact

Multiple prosecutions including Washington state vehicular homicide charge in 2024. December 2023 over-the-air recall covering 2 million vehicles.

Outcome

Autopilot and FSD remain under active federal investigation as of April 2026. Multiple class and wrongful-death suits pending.

Sources

  1. Source 1NHTSA Official EA22002 Reportstatic.nhtsa.gov/odi/inv/2022/INCR-EA22002-14496.pdf
  2. Source 2PBS NewsHourwww.pbs.org/newshour/nation/u-s-opens-new-investigation-into-teslas-full-self-driving-system-after-fatal-crash
  3. Source 3TeslaDeaths trackerwww.tesladeaths.com/
  4. Source 4Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Tesla_Autopilot_crashes

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