NHTSA News Updates

The $36.8 billion funding lapse affects road, safety and bridge projects across the country as states and localities try to plan ahead.

The agency said it would update testing methods on tire strength, rim resistance and endurance and examine how to set safety rules for new technologies.

The preliminary probe covers an estimated 1,000 vehicles from the 2026 model year, NHTSA said. The agency has not yet decided whether to conduct a full investigation.

NHTSA officials are opening an investigation into whether Tesla's new steering wheel-free taxis comply with safety rules a day after the company began offering rides.

The recall affects nearly 850,000 Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge and Ram vehicles in the United States from model years 2026 and 2027, Stellantis said Aug. 17.

The preliminary evaluation involves an estimated 1.2 million vehicles, including Model 3 sedans from the 2018 to 2020 model years and Model Y SUVs from 2021 to 2023.

The decision could expand robotaxi availability because Zoox vehicles lack steering wheels and pedals and require federal approval.

Bloomberg News has reported at least 15 deaths in a dozen incidents in which occupants or rescuers were unable to open the doors of a Tesla that had crashed and caught fire.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said of an autonomous Semi: “It will definitely be working next year and in time for the scale-up to high production of the Tesla Semi.”

An unoccupied Zoox vehicle on June 20 approached the scene of a fire that was obscured by heavy smoke, braking hard while attempting to steer away before coming to a stop.