Tesla Driver Killed After Self-Driving Mode Stops in the Middle of a Highway - Futurism
A 2020 Tesla Model 3 running one of the company's self-driving modes stopped in the middle of the eastbound Loop 202 in Mesa, Arizona at about 3am on 31 October 2025 and was struck from behind by an F-350 pickup. The driver was found dead at the scene. Contemporaneous local reports did not say whether a driver-assistance system was engaged; Electrek matched the collision to a redacted crash report Tesla had filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
1 source article · read the reporting →
Tesla’s Autopilot Reportedly Involved in Another Accident
L’Autopilot de Tesla serait impliqué dans un nouvel accident, voici ce qu’il s’est passé - PaperGeek
Kyle Shanahan, coach of the San Francisco 49ers, crashed his Tesla. He suspects the Autopilot may have malfunctioned, but is unsure if he accidentally deactivated it. He stressed that drivers must always remain vigilant and ready to take over.
- Company involved
- Tesla
- AI system involved
- Autopilot
1 source article · read the reporting →
Driving at 60 mph while asleep? Man caught using Tesla's Full Self-Driving
“시속 97km 자면서 운전?”⋯테슬라 자율주행 켜놓은 男 최후는 - 코메디닷컴
A man in Solano County, California, was pulled over by the California Highway Patrol after he was seen slumped over in the driver's seat of a Tesla traveling at 60 mph with Full Self-Driving engaged. The officer issued a traffic citation for speeding. The CHP reminded drivers that they remain legally responsible and must stay awake and attentive even when using autonomous features.
- Company involved
- Tesla
- AI system involved
- Full Self-Driving
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Tesla Autopilot fails to centre car, shredding tyres in Redmond
In summer 2017, Eric Horvitz activated the Autopilot function of his Tesla sedan while driving in Redmond, Washington. The system failed to centre the car properly, causing both driver's side tyres to hit a raised curb and shred instantly. Horvitz regained control and watched his car being towed away. He reported the incident to Tesla, which he says was more concerned about liability than addressing ethical issues with its AI.
- Company involved
- Tesla
- AI system involved
- Autopilot
2 source articles · read the reporting →
Tesla Staged 2016 Self-Driving Video, Deposition Reveals
In October 2016, Tesla published a video titled 'Full Self-Driving Hardware on all Teslas' showing a car driving itself without human input. A deposition by Tesla's director of Autopilot software, Ashok Elluswamy, revealed that the video was staged on a predetermined route and that the car crashed into a fence during filming. The production version of Autopilot at the time did not have the capability to respond to traffic lights as shown. Tesla and Elon Musk did not disclose that the video was edited to portray the system more favourably.
- Company involved
- Tesla
- AI system involved
- Full Self-Driving Hardware
6 source articles · read the reporting →
Tesla Autopilot fails to stop for police in Germany after driver falls asleep
A Tesla Model 3 using Autopilot failed to stop for a police checkpoint on an Autobahn near Bamberg, Germany, after the driver fell asleep. Police pursued the vehicle for 15 minutes at 110 km/h before the driver awoke and pulled over. The driver had used a steering wheel weight to trick the system into detecting hands on the wheel and showed signs of drug impairment. The driver was charged with endangering road traffic and had their licence confiscated pending a court hearing.
- Company involved
- Tesla
- AI system involved
- Autopilot
9 source articles · read the reporting →
Tesla Model 3 crashes in Greece, driver blames Autopilot
A Tesla Model 3 driver, You You Xue, alleges his vehicle veered suddenly to the right while Autopilot was engaged at 120 km/h, causing a collision with a median on a motorway in Greece. The driver was unharmed, but the car was severely damaged and undrivable. Tesla stated data could not be retrieved because the incident occurred in an unsupported region, and reiterated that drivers must remain responsible when using Autopilot.
- Company involved
- Tesla
- AI system involved
- Autopilot
4 source articles · read the reporting →
Tesla Model 3 on Autopilot crashes into police car in Connecticut
A Tesla Model 3 with Autopilot engaged crashed into a police cruiser and a disabled vehicle on I-95 in Connecticut. The driver stated he was checking on his dog in the back seat and not paying attention to the road. No serious injuries were reported. The incident highlights concerns about driver inattention when using partially automated driving systems.
- Company involved
- Tesla
- AI system involved
- Autopilot
2 source articles · read the reporting →
Tesla Model S on Autopilot crashes into stationary van on Swiss highway
A Tesla Model S owner in Switzerland was using the car's Autopilot and Adaptive Cruise Control on a highway when the system failed to detect a stationary van after the preceding vehicle changed lanes. The car accelerated slightly and collided with the van, causing front-end damage that required replacement of parts including a parking sensor and a steel beam. The driver acknowledged they could have reacted sooner but had grown to trust the system after many successful trips. Tesla's manual warns that the system may not brake for stationary vehicles in such situations.
- Company involved
- Tesla
- AI system involved
- Tesla Autopilot
3 source articles · read the reporting →
Cruise robotaxi drags woman 20 feet, company pays over $8M settlement
On October 2, 2023, a Cruise robotaxi in downtown San Francisco struck and dragged a woman 20 feet after she was hit by a human driver. The autonomous vehicle attempted to pull over while the pedestrian was trapped underneath, causing life-threatening injuries. Cruise later paid a settlement of between $8 million and $12 million to the victim. The California DMV suspended Cruise's driverless permits after the company failed to show regulators complete footage of the incident.
- Company involved
- Cruise
4 source articles · read the reporting →
Tesla Autopilot crashes into parked police SUV in Laguna Beach
On 29 May 2018, Dave Key's Tesla Model S, operating in Autopilot mode, drifted out of its lane and collided with a parked police SUV in Laguna Beach, California. No one was injured, but the car was written off. The crash was attributed to a known limitation of Tesla's AI, which struggled to distinguish stationary objects from the background. Key, a former software entrepreneur, later bought three more Teslas and used the Full Self-Driving beta.
- Company involved
- Tesla
- AI system involved
- Autopilot
4 source articles · read the reporting →
Xpeng P7 Collides with Truck During NGP Assisted Driving, Driver Injured
On 23 September 2021, a Xpeng P7 owner in China was using the NGP automatic navigation assisted driving system when the vehicle failed to identify a flatbed truck ahead and collided with its rear. The driver, who trusted the system to brake automatically, sustained slight injuries. Xpeng Motors stated that the system's functions were operating normally before the crash and that further analysis would be conducted. Experts suggested the visual camera may have misjudged the distance due to the truck's unusual shape.
- Company involved
- Xpeng Motors
- AI system involved
- NGP automatic navigation assisted driving system
1 source article · read the reporting →
Tesla Recalls 360,000 Vehicles with Full Self-Driving Beta Over Crash Risk
Tesla is recalling more than 360,000 vehicles equipped with its Full Self-Driving Beta software after a government regulator found that the cars could proceed through intersections without stopping, posing a crash risk. The company said it would issue a remote software update to remedy the problem. The recall is a significant setback for Tesla's autonomous driving ambitions.
- Company involved
- Tesla
- AI system involved
- Full Self-Driving Beta
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Cruise driverless cars stall in San Francisco, blocking traffic after Outside Lands festival
As many as 10 Cruise autonomous vehicles became immobilized on Grant Avenue in North Beach on Friday night due to wireless connectivity issues caused by the Outside Lands music festival. The cars blocked traffic, and officials noted that emergency vehicles would not have been able to pass. Cruise apologised and said it is investigating solutions. The incident occurred a day after the California Public Utilities Commission approved expanded robotaxi operations in the city.
- Company involved
- Cruise
- AI system involved
- Cruise driverless cars
1 source article · read the reporting →
Tesla's Full Self-Driving beta includes assertive mode that may perform rolling stops
Tesla's Full Self-Driving beta software includes driving profiles, including an 'Assertive' mode that may perform rolling stops, follow cars more closely, and change lanes more frequently. The feature was included in an October 2021 update that was briefly pulled due to issues with left turns. In November 2021, a Tesla using FSD mode was involved in a crash that left the vehicle severely damaged.
- Company involved
- Tesla
- AI system involved
- Full Self-Driving (FSD) beta
5 source articles · read the reporting →
Tesla on Autopilot crashes into stationary Michigan police car
A Tesla with Autopilot engaged struck a stationary Michigan State Police vehicle on a freeway on 17 March 2021. Neither the driver nor the system avoided the collision, causing serious damage to the police car but no injuries. The driver was cited for driving with a suspended license. The incident adds to concerns about Tesla's driver-assistance system and its marketing.
- Company involved
- Tesla, Inc.
- AI system involved
- Autopilot
6 source articles · read the reporting →
Cruise Recalls Self-Driving Software After San Francisco Crash Injures Two
In June 2022, a Cruise autonomous vehicle operating in San Francisco attempted an unprotected left turn and braked hard after incorrectly predicting an oncoming car would turn right. The other car continued straight and struck the Cruise vehicle, injuring a Cruise employee and a person in the other car. Cruise subsequently recalled the software on 80 vehicles, temporarily restricted left turns, and issued a software update to improve predictions. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration oversaw the recall.
- Company involved
- Cruise
7 source articles · read the reporting →
Cruise driverless cars block traffic in San Francisco
On 22 May 2022, three driverless Cruise vehicles stopped in the middle of Masonic Avenue in San Francisco, blocking two lanes of traffic. The cars reportedly became confused and halted, causing disruption. The incident was shared on social media by a witness.
- Company involved
- Cruise
4 source articles · read the reporting →
Cruise autonomous vehicle briefly evades police traffic stop
On April 2, 2022, a driverless Cruise taxi in San Francisco was pulled over by police for driving without headlights. The vehicle initially drove away before stopping at a safe location, confusing officers. Cruise stated the car yielded as programmed and no citation was issued. The incident highlights challenges of autonomous vehicles interacting with law enforcement.
- Company involved
- Cruise
5 source articles · read the reporting →
Man rides in back seat of Tesla using autopilot on Bay Area roads
A man was recorded sitting in the back seat of a Tesla Model 3 while it drove on autopilot with no one in the driver's seat on Bay Area roads. The video was shared online and the California Highway Patrol is investigating. A witness who reported the incident said Tesla customer service told him to contact CHP, and CHP initially said there was nothing they could do. The stunt highlights concerns about Tesla's autopilot feature being used without a driver.
- Company involved
- Tesla
- AI system involved
- Tesla Autopilot
9 source articles · read the reporting →
Delphi denies near-miss between its self-driving car and Google's autonomous vehicle
Delphi Automotive initially reported a near-miss between its self-driving Audi Q5 SUV and a Google Lexus RX400h in Palo Alto, California. A Delphi executive claimed Google's car cut off the Delphi vehicle, which took evasive action. However, Delphi later denied the incident, stating the vehicles were a lane width apart and that both cars performed correctly. Google also confirmed the cars behaved appropriately in an ordinary driving scenario.
- Company involved
- Delphi Automotive
- AI system involved
- Delphi self-driving car (Audi Q5 SUV)
7 source articles · read the reporting →
Tesla recalls more than 285,000 cars in China over cruise control safety issue.
Tesla began recalling more than 285,000 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in China after its cruise control system was found to pose a safety risk. The system could be activated when drivers shifted gears or touched the gear selector, leading to unintended acceleration. Owners were offered a free software update to fix the issue, and Tesla apologised and said it would comply with Chinese safety regulations.
- Company involved
- Tesla
- AI system involved
- cruise control system
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Cruise robotaxi hits San Francisco fire truck, one injured
A Cruise self-driving car collided with a San Francisco Fire Department truck that was responding to an emergency. The incident occurred on August 17, 2023, in the Tenderloin district. One passenger sustained non-severe injuries and was taken to hospital. Cruise acknowledged the crash and offered support to the rider.
- Company involved
- Cruise
- AI system involved
- Cruise self-driving car
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Motorcyclist sues General Motors after self-driving Chevrolet Bolt crash in San Francisco
On 7 December 2017, a self-driving Chevrolet Bolt operated by GM's Cruise subsidiary aborted a lane change and re-entered its lane on Oak Street in San Francisco, striking motorcyclist Oscar Nilsson and knocking him to the ground. Nilsson sued General Motors, claiming neck and shoulder injuries requiring lengthy treatment and resulting in disability leave. The San Francisco Police Department's report blamed Nilsson for passing on the right, but his lawyer disputed this, and GM denied responsibility while emphasising safety.
- Company involved
- General Motors
- AI system involved
- Chevrolet Bolt autonomous vehicle
10 source articles · read the reporting →
