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Tesla’s Austin Robotaxis Now Tied to 14 Crashes, New Federal Filings Show

Redacted reports leave crucial context missing for judging safety performance.

Overview

  • Tesla reported five additional incidents from December and January, bringing the Austin pilot’s total to 14 since its June 2025 launch.
  • All five new cases involved Model Y vehicles with the autonomous system verified as engaged, including low‑speed impacts with fixed objects, a heavy truck, and a stationary collision with a city bus.
  • A July 2025 crash initially logged as property damage was revised in December to “minor with hospitalization,” indicating someone required treatment.
  • Electrek’s mileage analysis estimates roughly 800,000 paid miles through mid‑January, implying about one crash every 57,000 miles, far above common human‑driver benchmarks cited by Tesla and police data.
  • Tesla has begun offering a limited number of rides without in‑car safety monitors in Austin, while its NHTSA narratives remain fully redacted and regulators and local police have reviewed specific incidents.