NHTSA Opens Audit into Tesla Autopilot and FSD Crash Reports

Federal auto safety regulators have opened an audit into Tesla’s reporting of crashes involving Autopilot and Full Self-Driving, examining whether the company consistently filed required crash reports within the mandated time frame. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says Tesla may have submitted several incidents only months after they occurred, in possible violation of a standing order that requires timely notification. The inquiry arrives as Tesla presses forward with plans to expand driverless rides and to roll out over-the-air software updates intended to broaden autonomous capabilities.

The investigation, initiated under a formal audit query, seeks to determine why reporting delays occurred, whether all necessary data were included in the submissions, and whether any incidents remain unreported. It encompasses 37 Tesla models produced between 2016 and 2026 and centers on whether late filings happened in a single batch or as ongoing rolling reports. The agency has indicated that it will assess the completeness of submitted data and identify any incidents still outstanding, while also determining the scope and causes of the delays.