Tesla’s FSD: Safety Concerns Mount

Tesla has reintroduced its “Mad Max” driving profile as part of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) version 14.1.2 update in October 2025. This mode allows vehicles to exhibit more aggressive driving behaviors, including higher speeds and more frequent lane changes. The reintroduction has prompted a new investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) into the feature’s safety implications. This development occurs while Tesla faces ongoing lawsuits and regulatory scrutiny regarding its FSD marketing.

Story Highlights:

Tesla reintroduced “Mad Max” mode in October 2025, enabling aggressive driving.
NHTSA immediately launched an investigation into the feature, affecting approximately 2.9 million Tesla vehicles.
The timing coincides with multiple ongoing lawsuits and regulatory probes concerning Tesla’s FSD marketing.
Early user reports indicate the mode exhibits behaviors previously addressed in a 2022 recall.

Tesla’s Reintroduction of Aggressive Automation

In October 2025, Tesla rolled out its Full Self-Driving version 14.1.2 update, which included the reintroduction of the “Mad Max” driving profile. This mode, named after the film series, is designed to allow Tesla vehicles to drive more aggressively, featuring increased speeds, more frequent lane changes, and reduced hesitation compared to standard settings. Tesla’s release notes describe “Mad Max” as enabling “higher speeds and more frequent lane changes than Hurry mode.”

The reintroduction of this feature comes as Tesla is under increased regulatory scrutiny regarding its driver-assist systems. Reports from early users and videos demonstrate “Mad Max” mode vehicles performing rolling stops and exceeding posted speed limits, behaviors that led to a recall of Tesla’s FSD Beta software in 2022. This pattern has raised questions about the company’s approach to integrating features that may prioritize aggressive driving characteristics.

🚨 Tesla “Mad Max” testing on FSD v14.1.2

It drives like a human being! Consistent lane changes, keeps up with quicker traffic, very refined

Well done Tesla Team pic.twitter.com/wzTucDhczA

— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) October 19, 2025

Federal Regulators Respond to Safety Concerns

The NHTSA has initiated a new investigation into the safety implications and marketing practices associated with Tesla’s “Mad Max” mode. This action reflects ongoing concerns from the federal agency regarding Tesla’s introduction of certain features while facing existing probes into incidents involving emergency vehicles and red-light violations. The investigation encompasses approximately 2.9 million Tesla vehicles eligible for the FSD update.

The timing of the “Mad Max” mode’s return has been noted as occurring while Tesla addresses multiple wrongful death lawsuits and regulatory challenges related to its “Full Self-Driving” branding. Safety advocates have suggested that naming a driver-assist feature after a post-apocalyptic action film could encourage misuse and potentially blur the distinction between human supervision and autonomous operation.

Implications for Technology Development and Regulation

Tesla’s decision to reintroduce “Mad Max” mode highlights a focus on aggressive automation within the company’s development priorities. While Tesla promotes FSD as progressing toward Level 4 autonomy, the system remains classified as a Level 2 driver-assist feature, requiring continuous human supervision. The deployment of features that may encourage risky driving behaviors has led to discussions about responsible technology development and the balance between marketing and public safety.

The broader implications of this situation extend to the autonomous vehicle industry and its regulatory framework. Other automotive manufacturers may face increased oversight and more stringent safety standards as a result of approaches to driver-assist technology. This could influence the development and deployment of automotive safety innovations, potentially impacting consumer perception and risk exposure.

Watch the report: Tesla Self-Driving 14.1.1: The good, the bad, and the ugly