Tesla is being investigated by the US government after reports the firm's self-driving cars had broken traffic laws, including driving on the wrong side of the road and not stopping for red lights.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) acknowledged it is aware of 58 reports regarding such violations.
An estimated 2.9 million vehicles equipped with full self-driving technology are included in this investigation.
Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, has been contacted for comment, as he recently gained attention for becoming the world's first half-trillionaire.
The NHTSA's preliminary evaluation will examine the scope, frequency, and potential safety consequences of the Full Self-Driving (Supervised) mode which allows cars to make lane changes and turns autonomously, though drivers must be alert to take control when necessary.
Incidents reported include six crashes linked to cars that proceeded through intersections while the traffic light was red; four of these resulted in injuries. Additionally, the agency is investigating cases where vehicles veered into opposite lanes during turns, with some incidents providing little warning to drivers.
Previously, Tesla faced another NHTSA investigation over door locking mechanisms after reports of children becoming trapped inside Model Y cars. This raises further concern about the safety measures in place for Tesla's automated systems.
The company's efforts to address these issues include taking action on reported violations at specific intersections, such as one frequently occurring in Maryland.
In the wake of these investigations, Tesla has introduced lower-cost models of its popular electric vehicles to remain competitive against a growing market of cheaper alternatives, particularly from Chinese manufacturers.
