Why Are Tesla’s Full-Self Driving Systems Struggling at Railroad Crossings?
If you’ve ever sat behind the wheel of a Tesla and watched the car handle traffic with eerie confidence, you know just how far autonomous tech has come. But even the most advanced systems have their blind spots—literally. Lately, a growing number of Tesla drivers are raising red flags about the company’s Full-Self Driving (FSD) feature, particularly when it comes to railroad crossings. The concern? FSD sometimes fails to recognize active crossings, flashing lights, or even lowering gates. Not exactly what you want when a freight train is barreling down the tracks.
What’s Actually Happening at These Crossings?
Recent reports, including firsthand accounts and dashcam videos, show Tesla vehicles approaching active railroad crossings without slowing down or stopping—unless the human driver intervenes. In one widely circulated video, a Model Y rolled toward a crossing as the gates were coming down, and the driver had to slam on the brakes. The car’s sensors and cameras seemed to miss the warning lights and the lowering barrier entirely.
Digging deeper, it turns out this isn’t just a one-off glitch. Owners have taken to online forums and social media to share similar stories. Some say their cars prioritized a green traffic light in the distance over the flashing red lights at the crossing right in front of them. Others report that FSD treats a lowering barrier as “optional,” as if the system can’t quite decide whether it’s a real obstacle or just a suggestion.
Is This a Data Problem or a Design Flaw?
Experts who study autonomous vehicles point to a likely culprit: data. Training AI to recognize every possible scenario on the road is a massive undertaking. While Tesla’s FSD is constantly learning from millions of miles driven, railroad crossings are surprisingly tricky. There’s no single, standardized look for crossings—they can have different types of lights, barriers, signage, and road layouts. If the system hasn’t seen enough examples of each variation, it may not know how to react.
Dr. Missy Cummings, a professor at George Mason University and a leading voice in autonomous vehicle safety, has noted that rare but high-risk situations—like train crossings—are often underrepresented in training data. “You need a huge number of edge cases to make these systems robust,” she says. “If you don’t have enough diverse data, the AI just won’t generalize well.” The result? A smart car that aces city traffic but blanks out at a railroad crossing.
What Are Regulators and Tesla Saying?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is aware of the issue and has been in touch with Tesla. They’re monitoring consumer complaints and analyzing whether there’s a broader safety defect at play. While Tesla hasn’t issued a public statement about these specific incidents, the company continues to roll out FSD updates and expand its availability to new markets, including Australia and New Zealand.
It’s worth noting that, despite the “Full-Self Driving” name, Tesla’s system is classified as Level 2 automation. That means drivers are required to stay alert and keep their hands on the wheel, ready to take over at any moment. The company’s own documentation repeatedly emphasizes this point, but the branding and marketing often paint a rosier picture.
How Common Are These Incidents—and What’s the Real Risk?
While exact numbers are hard to pin down, the fact that multiple cases have surfaced—some resulting in collisions with trains—suggests a pattern worth worrying about. In June, for example, a Tesla reportedly turned left onto train tracks and was struck by a train minutes later. Thankfully, such incidents are still rare compared to the millions of safe miles logged by Teslas every day, but the consequences when things go wrong can be catastrophic.
According to the Federal Railroad Administration, there were over 2,100 highway-rail grade crossing collisions in the United States in 2023, resulting in more than 270 fatalities. Most of these involved human error, but as more cars rely on automation, the stakes for getting these scenarios right are only going up.
What Should Tesla Drivers Do Right Now?
If you’re using FSD or any advanced driver-assist system, the advice is simple: stay vigilant, especially near railroad crossings. Don’t assume the car will always do the right thing. Approach crossings with caution, watch for warning lights and barriers, and be ready to take control instantly. It’s not about distrusting the tech—it’s about understanding its current limits.
For those considering FSD, it’s smart to remember that no consumer vehicle on the market today is truly self-driving. The technology is impressive, but it’s not infallible. As one longtime Tesla owner put it, “The car is great at handling the boring stuff, but I’m not letting it play chicken with a train.”
What’s Next for Autonomous Driving Safety?
The conversation around Tesla’s FSD and railroad crossings is part of a bigger debate about how we test, regulate, and trust autonomous vehicles. As the technology matures, expect to see more scrutiny from regulators and more transparency from automakers about what their systems can—and can’t—handle.
The big takeaway? Full-Self Driving isn’t about perfection—it’s about smarter adjustments. Start with one change this week, and you’ll likely spot the difference by month’s end. Stay engaged, stay curious, and don’t let the hype outpace your common sense.