Federal regulators are scrutinizing Tesla’s “Mad Max” driving mode, a feature within the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system that reportedly allows vehicles to exceed speed limits and make aggressive lane changes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirmed that it is seeking additional information from Tesla as part of an ongoing investigation into the safety of FSD.
The NHTSA told Reuters that it is “in contact with the manufacturer to gather additional information” about the recently reintroduced driving mode. The agency emphasized that drivers remain fully responsible for controlling their vehicles and following all traffic laws, regardless of the system’s automation features.
Tesla advertises Mad Max as offering “higher speeds and more frequent lane changes” compared with the system’s default “Hurry” profile. The setting is designed to make lane changes more assertively in heavy traffic.
Earlier this month, the NHTSA expanded its ongoing probe into Tesla’s FSD software after reports that vehicles using the system violated traffic safety laws, including running red lights and traveling against traffic flow.
Mad Max mode, which first appeared in 2018 before the rollout of FSD, was revived this month and quickly drew attention after reports surfaced of Teslas rolling through stop signs and driving above posted speed limits while using the feature.
The renewed scrutiny of Tesla’s self-driving technology comes amid broader questions about autonomous vehicle oversight in the United States. Earlier this year, Elon Musk, while leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration, reportedly oversaw the downsizing of NHTSA staff, including the dismissal of three members from a small team focused on autonomous vehicle safety.
Those cuts have prompted criticism from safety advocates who argue that regulators may now be under-resourced to address potential risks associated with Tesla’s automated driving systems.
The Mad Max inquiry adds to a series of ongoing federal investigations into Tesla’s Autopilot and Full Self-Driving technologies, which have been linked to numerous traffic incidents over the past few years. While Tesla maintains that drivers must remain attentive and ready to take control at all times, regulators continue to question the company’s marketing and safety claims.
The NHTSA has not yet announced whether it will escalate its inquiry into a formal defect investigation or potential enforcement action.
Featured image credits: gehringj/Getty Images
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