US auto safety regulators have opened a defect-petition review into a claim that Tesla's 2026 Model Y robotaxis and Cybercabs exceeded school-zone speed limits with automated driving active. The filing lists no reported crashes or injuries. The review adds to earlier federal attention on Tesla's self-driving rollout.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced on Monday that it had opened a defect-petition review into a claim that 2026 Tesla Model Y robotaxis and Cybercabs exceeded speed limits in school zones while their automated driving systems were active. The agency's filing says the probe was opened on Friday.
What the petition alleges
An unnamed petitioner submitted three videos in support of the claim. NHTSA said it will evaluate the complaint before deciding whether to grant or deny a formal investigation.
The filing lists no reported crashes or injuries and estimates that about 1,000 vehicles could be affected. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
Scrutiny meets a growing robotaxi push
The review comes as Tesla pushes to turn robotaxis into a much bigger business. The company has expanded its self-driving services with Model Y robotaxis beyond Austin into other Texas cities and Florida. In September, it added its steering-wheel-free Cybercab to the Austin fleet.
However, the rollout has already drawn regulators' attention. NHTSA opened an audit inquiry into the Cybercab's self-certification a few hours after the cars started offering services in Austin.
Rivals have faced school-zone questions too
Tesla is not the only robotaxi operator to face such questions. Last year, NHTSA opened a preliminary investigation into Waymo after reports that its vehicles passed stopped school buses in Austin and Atlanta. The Google-owned company issued a voluntary recall in December.
Source: Business Insider
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