The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched an investigation into Tesla's new 'Mad Max' mode for its Full Self-Driving system, amid concerns over aggressive driving behaviors. The mode, part of a recent firmware update, allows vehicles to exceed speed limits and perform spirited maneuvers. Regulators emphasize that drivers remain fully responsible for vehicle operation.
Tesla introduced the 'Mad Max' mode in a firmware update for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system a few weeks ago, available initially to Early Access Program members. This update also includes a 'Sloth' mode for cautious driving, while 'Mad Max' enables more aggressive performance, such as ignoring speed limits and passing vehicles on the right. Tesla owners have reported the mode making their cars the fastest on interstates, though it adjusts to traffic conditions, reaching speeds up to around 100 mph in heavy flow but not exceeding that in the user's experience.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened a broader investigation into Tesla's FSD following dozens of reports of the system blowing through stop signs or drifting into oncoming lanes. Specifically on 'Mad Max,' the agency is in contact with Tesla to gather additional information on the Speed Profile. NHTSA reiterated that 'the human behind the wheel is fully responsible' legally.
This scrutiny follows a recent wrongful death lawsuit Tesla lost, where a vehicle in Autopilot mode allegedly ran a stop sign at 62 miles per hour, killing one person and severely injuring another while they stargazed roadside. Critic Brett Schreiber, whose firm won the suit, accused Tesla of 'deliberately programming cars to exceed speed limits and drive aggressively,' prioritizing 'aesthetics and sales over safety.'
Users like Teslarati journalist Joey Klender, who tested the mode about ten times, describe it as driving 'like a human being' with consistent lane changes and refined traffic handling. He found it useful for congested areas like the Baltimore Beltway or I-95 but not for residential zones, comparing it to performance modes in sports cars. Klender noted it is optional and requires driver attention, arguing it is no more hazardous than typical road driving if used responsibly. A Teslarati tweet from October 19, 2025, praised the mode in FSD v14.1.2 as 'very refined.'
The investigation's outcome remains unclear, with potential for Tesla to adjust or remove the mode.