- NHTSA opened Audit Query AQ26002 on September 3, 2026 targeting about 1,000 Cybercabs in Austin.
- The audit will check if Tesla bypassed federal safety rules when certifying the steering-wheel-free Cybercab.
- NHTSA is separately probing Full Self-Driving software across roughly 3.2 million Tesla vehicles.
Tesla began charging fares for Cybercab rides in Austin on September 3, 2026. Federal safety regulators responded the same day.