A Tesla Model 3 crashed into oncoming traffic during a livestream in China, sparking fresh controversy over the safety and naming of the automaker’s ‘Full Self-Driving’ (FSD) technology.
The incident occurred last week when a Douyin user was broadcasting his drive to demonstrate the capabilities of the Level 2 driver-assist system.
Despite the name, FSD requires constant driver supervision. However, during the livestream, the vehicle unexpectedly drifted into the left lane (reserved for opposing traffic) and collided head-on with another car. Fortunately, no critical injuries were reported.
The driver initially withheld the crash footage, claiming he was seeking direct compensation from Tesla, a company that typically disclaims liability for its autonomous features. However, he later released the video, which clearly showed FSD was active and initiated the erroneous lane change.
This event highlights the ongoing confusion surrounding Tesla’s technology. Earlier this year, when Tesla launched FSD in China, regulators forced the company to change the name, ruling that «Full Self-Driving» was misleading and did not accurately represent the system’s capabilities.
Despite these regulations and Tesla’s warnings, many Chinese owners continue to livestream their drives on platforms like Douyin and TikTok. They often attempt to prove the car can operate independently and compare it to rival systems from domestic automakers.
Previously, California authorities alleged that Tesla misled consumers by branding its driver-assistance features as Autopilot and Full Self-Driving. The state even approved a judge’s recommendation to suspend Tesla’s manufacturing and sales licences for 30 days, but has recently placed that order on hold.
