Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) self-driving cars were involved in 273 crashes since June last year, more than any other automaker, according to US auto safety regulators.
Automakers and tech companies have reported more than 500 crashes involving advanced driving assistance systems since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) ordered the information in June 2021.
Two US senators called for a deeper investigation of the "out-of-control industry," though the safety board said data was not standardised so it was hard to compare performance among different carmakers.
NHTSA officials stressed they were not using the data to determine which system is safer than another, but to quickly identify potential defects and provide insight into how these systems affect vehicle safety.
They added the first-of-its-kind data doesn't yet have a proper context and is only meant to be used as a guide.
"I would advise caution before attempting to draw conclusions based only on the data that we’re releasing. In fact, the data alone may raise more questions than they answer," NHTSA administrator Steven Cliff said during a media event, reports CNBC.
Car crashes
While Tesla cars have been involved in 273 accidents, 11 automakers and one supplier reported 392 crashes between June 2021 and May 15.
Honda Motor (NYSE:HMC) ranked second with 90 reported accidents, followed by Subaru with 10 and Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) with five, NHTSA data showed.
The other companies - including Toyota Motor (NYSE:TM) with four accidents, BMW with three, and General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) with two - reported fewer accidents.
In the US, there are more Teslas with a partially automated system than any other automaker - more than 830,000, which date to the model year 2014, says AP.
Tesla also collects real-time data online from vehicles, so it has a much more rapid reporting system.
GM, on the other hand, has reportedly sold more than 34,000 vehicles since its Super Cruise system debuted in 2017.
Since Tesla has aggressively expanded its driver-assistance systems, including prototype software for Tesla owners, the NHTSA reportedly intensified its investigation and focus on the company.
Tesla's autopilot technology may have led to the most crashes, but it is believed the company also has the most vehicles with the technology on the road, and its systems are also more capable and can be used in more areas than other systems.