TLDR
- Tesla slid 2.91% to $399.83 as NHTSA extended the FSD probe again.
- NHTSA set March 9, 2026 for Tesla’s crash video, CAN bus, and EDR files.
- The FSD probe grew from 58 to 80 incidents as new reports expanded the case.
- Tesla cites workload strain as thousands of records remain under manual review.
- Robotaxi expansion and viral clips add heat as regulators press for full data.
Tesla (TSLA) shares closed lower as new federal filings revealed another delay in the ongoing FSD safety probe. The stock ended at $399.83, down 2.91%, after a steady decline that erased a brief late rebound. The development added fresh pressure on the company as regulators expanded their demand for detailed crash data.
NHTSA Extends Deadline as Data Requests Grow
NHTSA granted Tesla a second deadline extension after the company failed to submit required FSD incident records. The agency pushed the deadline to March 9, 2026, and this move signaled persistent gaps in Tesla’s earlier responses. Tesla must now provide video files, CAN bus records, and EDR data for all identified cases.
The new filing showed that Tesla sought more time only for the most complex data categories. The company said the volume of files remained unclear until it finalized its incident list. This list was expected on February 20 and marked the start of new data processing work.
NHTSA stated that all other required answers remained due on January 19. Tesla submitted those earlier materials, but the agency indicated it still needed critical technical data. The extension therefore allowed completion of the most detailed portion of the request.
Background Shows Rising Case Count and Mounting Scrutiny
The investigation began on October 7, 2025, after regulators linked 58 incidents to vehicles using FSD. The number increased to 80 by December as reports from drivers, Tesla, and media sources expanded the case set. The probe currently covers around 2.88 million vehicles across multiple FSD versions.
Tesla argued that simultaneous federal inquiries created heavy workload burdens and slowed document review. The company reported over 8,300 records still under manual evaluation when the first deadline arrived. This backlog drove the first five-week extension to February 23.
New filings showed that the earlier extension did not complete Tesla’s work. The company held two February meetings with NHTSA before requesting more time. The meeting notes were redacted, but the agency approved the request one day later.
New Pressure as FSD Faces Public and Regulatory Challenges
The investigation intensified as Tesla expanded unsupervised Robotaxi rides in Austin using the same FSD stack. NHTSA records listed at least 14 incidents linked to that fleet since mid-2025. Tesla continued redacting descriptions, which limited insight into those events.
A recent viral video showing an attempted lake entry added new public concern about FSD’s accuracy. The clip drew wide attention and revived debate over autonomous performance standards. These discussions increased regulatory interest as federal reviews advanced.
Industry comparisons highlighted sharp differences across the market. Waymo reported 450,000 weekly driverless rides and documented lower crash rates across millions of miles. That contrast highlighted Tesla’s growing delays in providing federal safety data.
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