Rep. Krishnamoorthi presses NHTSA/DOT on Tesla FSD driver-monitoring after sleeping-driver videos and a nine-incident reduced-visibility probe

[REGULATORY ACTION]

Sep 9, 2026 · Investigated by NHTSA · Tesla

Failure Mode

REGULATORY ACTION

Event Date

Sep 9, 2026

Primary Entity

Investigated by NHTSA

Robotic Platform

Tesla

Jurisdiction / Location

Federal / Global

Audit Standard

Physical State Verified

Incident Abstract & Audit Findings

On September 9, 2026, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy citing an NBC News investigation that identified 43 videos appearing to show individuals asleep in the driver's seat of moving Teslas with a driver-assistance system engaged, including 17 posted in 2026.

System & Fleet Architecture

Operating Manufacturer

Investigated by NHTSAView Manufacturer

Hardware Platform

Tesla

Operational Sectors

Physical AI / Robotics

Primary Sources & Evidentiary Filings

  • https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases/krishnamoorthi-demands-nhtsa-action-after-tesla-drivers-caught-sleeping-behind

    https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases/krishnamoorthi-demands-nhtsa-action-after-tesla-drivers-caught-sleeping-behind

Related Incidents & Failure Precedents

6 records on file

Incident Context & FAQ

What happened in Rep. Krishnamoorthi presses NHTSA/DOT on Tesla FSD driver-monitoring after sleeping-driver videos and a nine-incident reduced-visibility probe?

On September 9, 2026, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy citing an NBC News investigation that identified 43 videos appearing to show individuals asleep in the driver's seat of moving Teslas with a driver-assistance system engaged, including 17 posted in 2026. The letter also references an NHTSA probe that identified nine incidents tied to reduced-visibility conditions, including one fatality and one injury, part of the FSD investigation NHTSA upgraded from a preliminary evaluation to an engineering analysis in March 2026. Krishnamoorthi asked whether NHTSA has evaluated the driver-monitoring system's effectiveness when the cabin camera is obstructed and what findings would constitute a safety defect, requesting a written response by September 30, 2026.

When did this incident occur?

The incident is recorded as occurring on September 9, 2026 on the DEPLOY registry. The date reflects the underlying real-world event, not the registry record's creation date.

Who was involved in Rep. Krishnamoorthi presses NHTSA/DOT on Tesla FSD driver-monitoring after sleeping-driver videos and a nine-incident reduced-visibility probe?

The incident is recorded as involving Tesla on the DEPLOY registry. No specific robot model is linked to this incident in the registry.

Has anyone responded to Rep. Krishnamoorthi presses NHTSA/DOT on Tesla FSD driver-monitoring after sleeping-driver videos and a nine-incident reduced-visibility probe?

No responses to this incident are recorded on the DEPLOY registry. Operators, manufacturers, or affected parties can submit responses to the editorial team; absence is not a guarantee no response was issued.

What is the current status of Rep. Krishnamoorthi presses NHTSA/DOT on Tesla FSD driver-monitoring after sleeping-driver videos and a nine-incident reduced-visibility probe?

This incident is an active record on the DEPLOY registry; no retraction or correction has been issued.