My Rented 2023 Tesla Model Y Had Just Passed Below the Shadows of Overpass Bridges, Which Caused the AI FSD Software to Become Confused, and It Failed to Recognize the Car Ahead Slowing Down

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Tesla FSD users are discovering that their Tesla's appear to be scared and confused by shadows.

Two recent videos serve as a warning about why Tesla drivers using Full Self-Driving (FSD) really do need to be vigilant.

If there were ever a good example of why Tesla FSD requires your uninterrupted, both-hands-on-the-wheel attention, it is two recent videos: One of which is an accident avoided, and the other a head-on collision with a tree.

Tesla FSD Shadow Issues 

Recent reports from Tesla drivers have revealed that Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) has issues not only with lane markings but also with shadows on the road.

A recent Reddit r/TeslaFSD forum post released a video where the OP's Tesla is having trouble with electrical line shadows on the road and/or bike lane markings:

FSD v12.6.4 avoided the shadow of the electrical lines on a residential road, or either the bike lane marking. Never happened before here or anywhere else, and hasn't happened since, even in the same spot. I didn't take over, and it was only like 25-30 mph, didn't feel "unsafe" but still strange behavior. Would be scary if something similar on the highway or other high-speed road happened unexpectedly."

Common issues FSD appears to have with shadows includes:

  1. False Positives: Shadows cast by trees, overhead signs, or other vehicles can sometimes be misinterpreted as physical obstacles, such as debris or other vehicles.
  2. Lane Detection Confusion: Strong or irregular shadows can confuse the vision system, causing temporary misjudgments about lane boundaries.
  3. Phantom Braking: In some cases, shadows may trigger unnecessary braking, known as "phantom braking," which can be jarring or even dangerous in fast-moving traffic.

Why This Happens

One explanation is that Tesla FSD primarily relies on a vision-only approach with its neural network software trained on visual data from cameras, which is posited as be susceptible to lighting conditions, including:

  1. Low sun angles creating long, dark shadows
  2. Rapid transitions between light and shadow
  3. Reflections that resemble obstacles

Improvements Over Time

While updates have addressed this limitation, users and beta testers have reportedly found that occasional problems still persist.

In short, if you're using FSD, it's wise to remain vigilant in areas with complex lighting or heavy shadows, as the system is still not fully autonomous.

Two Videos Illustrating Why This Is Important to Be Aware Of

While there has been some very impressive footage of Tesla FSD in action, it is important to remember that true "full" self-driving is not there yet, and perhaps the following two videos are good reminders of using common sense and remaining alert while using FSD:

 

 

Tell Us What You Think: What do you make of these two videos, including the referenced Reddit post by the OP? Are they flukes, user-caused, or something else? Let us know about it in the comments section below.

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Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati who currently researches and works on restoring older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. He also reports on modern cars (including EVs) with a focus on DIY mechanics, buying and using tools, and other related topical automotive repair news. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites as well as on Facebook and his automotive blog "Zen and the Art of DIY Car Repair" for useful daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.

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