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Tesla’s Full Self-Driving is often described as a glimpse into the future of driving, capable of handling long highway stretches with ease. But as exciting as it sounds, there are moments when it delivers a sharp reminder that human vigilance is still vital. That’s what happened to Greg Diesel-Walck and his family when their brand-new 2026 Tesla Model Y with just 900 miles suddenly veered into several white lane divider poles nearly three hours into a highway trip. His wife was behind the wheel at the time and wasn’t familiar with the dashcam’s manual save feature, so the incident wasn’t recorded.
But here’s how Greg put it: “FSD was on and it ran over several white lane divider poles at 65mph tonight before we could take over and stop it. I have a 2026 Model Y with 900 miles. To clarify, (because of some of the nasty responses) this was 2 1/2 hours into a 3 hour trip on FSD. My wife was driving and wasn’t aware of the dash cam capabilities to press and capture the incident.”
When the System Misjudges the Road
Greg’s post reveals the challenge of relying on FSD for extended highway driving. At its best, it can make long trips feel effortless. But it’s moments like these, where a brand-new car suddenly crosses multiple lanes and strikes posts, that highlight why Tesla stresses that drivers must remain attentive at all times. Divider posts are designed to flex, but hitting them at highway speed in a nearly new vehicle could damage the vehicle, which is exactly what happened in this case.
Tesla has built a reputation for pushing driver-assist technology further than anyone else. Some owners share incredible stories of road trips with flawless performance, like one Model Y driver who said their Tesla FSD drove across three states without a single intervention, even through rain. Yet, others face issues like Greg’s proving that consistency is the real challenge. A system that can handle perfect conditions yet struggles in more complex layouts leaves drivers questioning its readiness.
Community Reactions to Greg’s Post
Greg’s story sparked discussion in the group. Other owners added their own experiences that shed light on the mixed reliability of FSD.
Swaine Thompson Sr. offered a reminder many Tesla fans echo: “FSD is for assistance only. I’m glad everyone is safe, but I stay alert with FSD on.”
His comment reflects the cautious optimism that surrounds Tesla’s technology. It can assist in countless situations, but it’s not designed to replace the human driver. In fact, there are many cases where Tesla’s FSD saved the day by stopping just in time to avoid a crash, showing the dual nature of this system. It carries remarkable capability paired with unpredictable mistakes.
Elizabeth Chad Isbell then shared her concerns: “Ours nearly did the same thing, but we caught it in time. Not a fan. At least 5 mistakes in less than a few weeks.”
Elizabeth’s comment underscores the broader pattern. Owners do report dangerous situations caused by Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system on highways, where small miscalculations add up quickly. Her experience mirrors Greg’s, making it clear that such incidents are not only isolated flukes but can be part of a larger reliability question.
Fayette Crapo offered the most detailed account: “My new model Y was crossing left lanes all the time. I was used to my 2021 FSD doing so well at speed that after 10 miles on the way home from Tesla, it swerved (gradually) across the left lane of the interstate into a construction barrel. I got an update a few days later and all was fine. I’m really mad at Tesla for how they ignored me.”
Her frustration highlights another side of ownership, which is communication. Updates can fix problems overnight, but when issues happen, many drivers feel Tesla fails to acknowledge them. This leaves owners balancing between gratitude when things improve and anger when they’re left in the dark. Her story ties directly to the experiences of other long-distance drivers who found Tesla’s FSD almost useless throughout long road trips, as errors overshadowed the moments of success.
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Regulatory and Legal Perspectives on FSD
Beyond personal stories, regulators have taken notice of incidents like these. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened multiple investigations into how Tesla’s driver-assist systems behave in real-world conditions, particularly in crashes involving stationary objects and construction zones. These reviews highlight that FSD isn’t just a matter of convenience, as it has implications for safety standards nationwide.
Liability is another unresolved issue. When FSD makes an error that causes property damage or worse, owners are still legally considered the responsible driver. That gray area complicates both insurance claims and public trust. For new owners eager to embrace the technology, understanding this legal framework is just as important as knowing how to activate the system itself.
Looking ahead though, federal agencies and state governments may push Tesla to clarify its marketing of FSD. Some critics argue the term “Full Self-Driving” overpromises autonomy, while Tesla maintains that supervision is required. Until clearer regulations are in place, owners like Greg will continue shouldering responsibility when the technology falters.
Why Divider Posts Trip Up FSD
Incidents like Greg’s often occur in construction zones, highway splits, or areas with temporary lane shifts. Lane divider posts confuse not just Tesla’s system but many driver-assist technologies. They’re not permanent painted lines, and in poor lighting conditions, even humans can struggle to process them quickly. Tesla relies heavily on cameras and neural network interpretation, so something as simple as inconsistent markings can lead to mistakes.
This highlights one of the central debates in the industry: should FSD be marketed as a nearly autonomous system, or as a tool that is still in training? Tesla positions it somewhere in between, and that blurred line is where confusion arises. Many new owners assume that the car can handle most scenarios without intervention, only to find that Tesla’s driver-assist systems still require full attention from the driver.
This is all why I see Greg’s post as a reality check. Tesla’s breakthroughs in driver-assistance technology are undeniable, but so are its shortcomings. The brand inspires loyalty because when FSD works, it feels like a glimpse of the future. Yet moments like this prove that the future isn’t fully here. For me, this story reinforces that driver assistance should be treated as a partner, not a replacement. The responsibility of watching the road never goes away, no matter how advanced the system feels.
Key Takeaways for Readers
- FSD is not a replacement for drivers: It requires constant supervision, no matter how reliable it feels.
- Brand-new vehicles can still face problems: Even a 900-mile Model Y can misjudge the road.
- Owner experiences vary widely: Some have flawless drives, while others face repeated mistakes.
- Software updates can change everything: A dangerous flaw today may be resolved tomorrow, but communication matters.
- Trust takes time to build: Confidence in autonomy comes only with consistent, proven results across real-world conditions.
Give Us Your Opinion
Would you feel comfortable letting Tesla FSD manage hours of highway driving without constant vigilance?
And have you ever had an advanced driver-assist feature surprise you? Either in a way that built your trust or broke it?
Let us know what you think in our comments below.
Aram Krajekian is a young automotive journalist bringing a fresh perspective to his coverage of the evolving automotive landscape. Follow Aram on X and LinkedIn for daily news coverage about cars.
Image Sources: Tesla’s gallery and the “Tesla Model Y” public Facebook group, respectively.
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Source: torquenews.com
