2026 Tesla Model S

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is opening this Engineering Analysis to evaluate Tesla’s Full Self Driving Beta and Full Self Driving (Supervised) (collectively, FSD) degradation detection system. The focus of this investigation will be to assess the system’s ability, when encountering reduced roadway visibility conditions, to detect degradation and alert the driver with sufficient time to respond. ODI will evaluate the performance of FSD in degraded roadway conditions and the updates or modifications by Tesla to the degradation detection system, including the timing, purpose, and capabilities of the updates, and Tesla’s assessment of their safety impact. Tesla’s FSD is an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) that relies exclusively on vision-based cameras and the related FSD software to detect and respond to the roadway ahead, projecting a path forward based on traffic control devices, vehicles, pedestrians, and the roadway itself. When Tesla began transitioning away from using both cameras and radars to an exclusively camera-based approach, known as Tesla Vision, in mid-2021, it developed and implemented a degradation detection system that it deployed by a software update to existing and new Tesla vehicles. On June 28, 2024, the day after Tesla submitted the SGO report of the November 28, 2023 fatal crash listed in this document, Tesla began developing an update to the degradation detection system. At this time, ODI does not have information on when the update was deployed and which vehicles have the updated system. ODI discussed individual incidents and its initial findings during the PE phase of its investigation with Tesla. As part of those discussions, Tesla’s post-incident analysis indicated that the update to the degradation detection system, had it been installed on the vehicles at the time, may have affected 3 of the 9 incidents identified by ODI. Tesla also described internal data and labeling limitations that prevented a uniform identification and analysis of crash events with the subject system engaged. ODI believes this limitation could have led to under-reporting of subject crashes over portions of the defined time-period. Available incident data raise concerns that Tesla’s degradation detection system, both as originally deployed and later updated, fails to detect and/or warn the driver appropriately under degraded visibility conditions such as glare and airborne obscurants. In the crashes that ODI has reviewed, the system did not detect common roadway conditions that impaired camera visibility and/or provide alerts when camera performance had deteriorated until immediately before the crash occurred. Review of Tesla’s responses revealed additional crashes that occurred in similar environments and where the system either did not detect a degraded state, and/or it did not present the driver with an alert with adequate time for the driver to react. In each of these crashes, FSD also lost track of or never detected a lead vehicle in its path. In upgrading PE24031 to an Engineering Analysis (EA), ODI will gather further information on the updated degradation detection system, including the status of updating vehicles and scope of compatible vehicles, the system’s visibility degradation detection capability, and alerts or warnings to the driver. Lastly, ODI will conduct analysis on six recent potentially related incidents. These incidents can be found at NHTSA.gov under the following SGO report identification numbers: 13781-11937, 13781-13211, 13781-13569, 13781-13633, 13781-13693, 13781-13788. The crashes included in the failure report summary can be found at NHTSA.gov under the following SGO report identification numbers: 13781-8004, 13781-7181, 13781-7381, 13781-7767, 13781-7964, 13781-8977, 13781-9267.

Please see attachment

NHTSA ID

11774454

Incident

Oct 2, 2026

I purchase my Tesla Model S in February 2026. Shortly after the purchase, My Tesla car drove through red light twice with its Full Self Drive (FSD) engaged. Recently my car crashed into a planter wall with its FSD system engaged while I was trying to take over. The car immediately caught fire following the collision. There are significant concerns that I would like to raise here: 1. After the crash, fire started immediately followed by two explosions, the exterior door handles did not deploy, creating a potential emergency rescue hazard. If I had not been able to use the manual release, I could have lost my life in the fire/explosions. I am a physician. After this accident, I tried to educate all my patients, coworkers and friends. I found out that more than half of the Tesla drivers in my patient population, coworkers and friends did not know where the manual releases were. 2. Tesla heavily promotes FSD, creating consumer expectations about its capabilities and safety. I believe that I was misled about how safe the system was. The sales representatives did not adequately inform me about potential risks that I now believe were important to my purchasing decision. My experience raises concerns about whether consumers are receiving clear, prominent, accurate, and understandable information about FSD's actual capabilities, operational limitations, and safety risks before purchasing or relying on the system. Consumers could be led to overestimate the system's capabilities and rely on it in ways that increase the risk of a crash.

NHTSA ID

11770719

Incident

Aug 17, 2026

COMPONENT: The rear window glass has optical distortion in the zone viewed through the interior rearview mirror. Vehicles behind me visibly warp and change apparent size as they move across the affected area of the glass. The vehicle and component are available for inspection upon request. SAFETY RISK: The distortion impairs my ability to accurately judge the position, size, distance, and closing speed of following vehicles. A smaller vehicle, such as a motorcycle, could be misjudged or lost in the distorted zone during a lane change, creating a collision risk. The condition is present at all times while driving. REPRODUCED/CONFIRMED: Yes. Tesla Service (365 Caldwell Dr, Springfield, MA) confirmed during my service visit that the same distortion exists on multiple other newer Model S vehicles, characterizing it as a normal aesthetic of the rear glass. Tesla stated in writing on [XXX] that "mild distortion is still to be expected with curved glass." Tesla replaced the rear glass; the replacement exhibits the same distortion, slightly worse. At vehicle pickup on [XXX], the Tesla Service Manager verbally acknowledged the issue was not resolved and stated all such glasses are similar. Tesla later closed the case stating in writing that technicians confirmed no distortion exists, contradicting its prior statements. INSPECTED BY: The manufacturer (Tesla Service) inspected the vehicle twice, including a stated inspection and test drive after the glass replacement. No police or insurance involvement. I have date-stamped photo and video documentation of both the original and replacement glass. WARNING SIGNS: No warning lamps or messages; this is an optical defect in the glass itself. First observed shortly after delivery on [XXX]. Because Tesla states the distortion is consistent across newer Model S production, I believe this is a fleet-wide defect affecting rear visibility, not an isolated unit. No crash or injury has occurred. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(

NHTSA ID

11769091

Incident

Apr 20, 2026

Subject: Safety Concern—Model S Plaid Rear Tire Wear I am submitting a formal complaint regarding severe premature wear on the inside edges of both rear tires on my Model S Plaid\. I have owned the vehicle since XXX, and it has only 11,980 miles\. Both tires appear to have exposed cords along the inside edges, while tread remains elsewhere\. I have attached a photo\. Approximately 99% of my driving is with FSD engaged\. This uneven wear raises serious safety concerns and may indicate an alignment or suspension issue\. I was advised not to use Low suspension mode or “Mad Max” mode\. Please clarify which settings this refers to, explain the technical basis, and identify where this restriction appears in Tesla’s operating instructions\. I expect to use the vehicle’s factory features as instructed without severe tire damage or increased risk of failure\. I was also told that some owners have installed aftermarket adjustable camber arms to address similar wear\. The attached photo shows N2itive SX\-P2 arms advertised at $995, excluding installation and alignment\. I am concerned about having to purchase aftermarket parts to correct this condition\. Please: - Inspect both rear tires, alignment, suspension components, and ride\-height calibration\. - Provide alignment measurements and confirm whether they meet factory specifications\. - Identify the cause and a Tesla\-approved solution to prevent recurrence\. - Explain whether this wear is considered normal at 11,980 miles\. - Evaluate warranty coverage or goodwill assistance for replacement tires and necessary repairs\. My goal is to correct the underlying cause, not simply replace the tires\. Please advise on safe transport or mobile tire service given their condition\. Thank you for your prompt written response\. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11768631

Incident

Oct 2, 2026

Speed profiles don't adhere to actual speed limits. Speed can be higher or lower than posted. I can be driving in a 55mph speed zone and it will drop to 35 then accelerate to 65. On roads that have no speed limit posted car tends to want to go 55 rather than a more sensible speed of under 30, especially at night on a dirt road with wildlife about. Car will also see access road speed signs and slow down in the middle of traffic. To me i don't feel safe and have to disengage the system which adds stress to the drive. Being able to set my own speed is the solution, not having the car set it.

NHTSA ID

11767931

Incident

Sep 28, 2026

Supervised FSD does not have a remedy if it assigns an incorrect speed limit to the current roadway. The only action available is to disengage FSD. This incorrect speed limit happens quite often, especially in construction zones with temporary speed limit changes. Tesla used to have a ‘max speed’ setting that the driver could use to override an incorrect speed limit, but they removed that capability.

NHTSA ID

11744863

Incident

May 28, 2026

Car will just brake on the highway with out warning. Cruise control will just randomly change speeds. I was traveling on an overpass and speed dropped to 35 then jumped to 60mph.

NHTSA ID

11696712

Incident

Oct 27, 2025

I was using Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised capability. We were turning left and the car took us into an oncoming turn lane. I had to take over to get us out of the lane.

NHTSA ID

11693133

Incident

Oct 10, 2025

On some Model S and Model X vehicles, the compression gap of the HVAC drain funnel seal is wider than intended, which may cause water ingress. Inspect the sponge area of the HVAC drain funnel for water ingress. If water ingress is present, rework the HVAC drain funnel seal.