Tesla’s new Cybercab robotaxi could be headed for more trouble with federal safety regulators.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened a defect petition review Friday to determine whether to launch a formal investigation into reports that Tesla’s driverless vehicles have been speeding through school zones.
The agency’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) orignally received the petition on Sept. 23, according to agency documents. It involves Tesla’s 2026 Model Y and Cybercab robotaxis operating with the company’s automated driving system engaged. The NHTSA estimates that roughly 1,000 vehicles could be affected.
The petition alleges that Tesla’s self-driving system has been exceeding posted speed limits in active school zones. It includes links to three videos as supporting evidence. NHTSA has recorded four reported incidents but no related crashes, injuries, or deaths.
For now, the agency is reviewing the allegations to determine whether a formal investigation is warranted.
The review comes just over a month after Tesla began offering public rides in its long-awaited Cybercab in Austin on Sept. 3.
It’s also not the first time Tesla’s robotaxis have come under NHTSA scrutiny. The same day of the Cybercab rollout, NHTSA opened a separate review into how Tesla certified that the Cybercab meets federal safety standards despite lacking traditional driving controls such as a steering wheel, pedals, and mirrors.
The agency said it is examining the technical data Tesla relied on to certify the Cybercab and whether the company determined that certain Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) don’t apply to the vehicle.
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