Self-driving technology reshaped the auto world. The safety failures reshaped it even more. Georgia families now share their roads with vehicles running Autopilot, BlueCruise, and other systems that draw federal attention. This self-driving car investigation timeline helps you understand how the concerns began, how they escalated, and why these probes matter for anyone driving in our state.
If you want the bigger picture on how these cases work in Georgia, including liability, evidence, and what to do after a crash, visit our Self-Driving Vehicle Accidents page.
2015 to 2016: Tesla Launches Autopilot and the Investigations Begin
Tesla introduced Autopilot in 2015. The excitement was real. So were the risks. After a fatal crash in 2016, federal investigators began paying close attention.
Consumer Reports mapped out Tesla’s early progress and problems in its analysis of Tesla’s self-driving timeline and Autopilot evolution. These early warnings marked the first major steps in the Tesla Autopilot investigation.
2017 to 2019: Crash Data Rises and Federal Pressure Increases
Over the next several years, more crashes tied to Autopilot hit the news. Federal watchdogs stepped in because the same types of incidents kept repeating.
Coverage from The Guardian highlighted serious concerns about driver-monitoring failures during a fatal Autopilot crash. This reporting aligned with what investigators were uncovering: drivers were relying on a system that struggled to keep them engaged.
These events strengthened the self-driving car investigation timeline and pushed regulators to dig deeper into how Tesla’s system actually behaved in real-world traffic.
2021 to 2023: A Major Federal Probe and a Record Tesla Recall
In 2021, NHTSA opened a sweeping investigation after multiple Teslas on Autopilot collided with parked emergency vehicles. This became one of the largest automated-driving investigations in U.S. history.
Capital One’s automotive analysis later broke down more than 40 crash investigations linked to Tesla’s driver-assist systems.
Then came the recall. In late 2023, Tesla recalled about two million vehicles. WardsAuto reported the full scope of the Autosteer safety recall and NHTSA concerns.
This section of the self-driving car investigation timeline shows exactly why federal agencies refused to look the other way.
2024 to Present: Ford BlueCruise Draws Federal Scrutiny
By 2024, Tesla was not the only automaker under investigation. Ford’s BlueCruise system became the subject of a federal probe after two fatal crashes.
WardsAuto detailed how NHTSA is now reviewing driver-monitoring issues connected to BlueCruise.
At the same time, regulators questioned whether Tesla’s recall truly fixed the risks tied to Autopilot. This widened the self-driving car investigation timeline and showed that federal concerns now stretch across the industry.
Why This Matters to Georgia Drivers
Georgia highways demand attention. Automated systems may help, but they cannot handle every situation. The investigation history proves that drivers often trusted these systems more than the systems could support.
This timeline shows why the Tesla Autopilot investigation remained active for years and why BlueCruise is now under the same spotlight. These are not isolated cases. They are part of a long record of safety failures, system limitations, and corporate overconfidence.
Stand Strong with Cheeley Law Group: Your Georgia Advocate in High-Stakes Crash Cases
Cheeley Law Group stands shoulder to shoulder with Georgia families hit hard by defective technology, reckless automation, and corporate decisions that put profit ahead of safety. When a self-driving system fails, the wreckage lands on real people. We dig into every investigation, every recall, every engineering misstep, and every federal file because the truth is the strongest weapon you can bring into a courtroom.
We build cases the same way we try them. With grit. With precision. Bulldog Bob leads the charge, and the pack follows close behind. When a corporation cuts corners and a family pays the price, we take that personally.
If a driver-assist or automated system played a role in your crash, you do not have to face that fight alone. We know the patterns. We know the timeline. We know how these companies operate, and we know how to hold them accountable. Georgia deserves a fighter who refuses to blink.
Talk to us. Tell us what happened. Let us take it from there.
