Tesla $TSLA ( ▲ 0.07% ) ’s robotaxi pilot in Austin has logged 14 crashes since launching in June 2025, according to federal safety data cited in recent reporting. The fleet of roughly 45 vehicles has accumulated about 800,000 paid miles, translating to one crash every 57,000 miles.
That rate is significantly higher than the US average for human drivers, who crash roughly once every 500,000 miles. The incidents range from low speed collisions with stationary objects to a crash involving a bus while the Tesla was stopped.
Most incidents were minor but notable
Recent filings include several low speed accidents, such as backing into poles or fixed objects and a collision with a truck at just a few miles per hour. One previously reported incident was updated to include a passenger hospitalization, raising the seriousness of at least one event.
While many crashes involved minimal damage, the frequency has drawn scrutiny as Tesla pushes toward fully autonomous ride hailing services.
Autonomy rollout continues despite setbacks
The company recently removed human safety monitors from some robotaxi operations, signaling confidence in the system’s capabilities. Investors initially reacted positively to that milestone, viewing it as progress toward scaling autonomous transportation.
However, the crash data highlights the gap between technological ambition and real world performance. For regulators and the public, safety metrics will likely play a decisive role in determining how quickly robotaxis expand beyond pilot programs.
Tesla’s long term strategy hinges on autonomy becoming a major revenue driver. Whether the technology can match or exceed human safety levels remains one of the most closely watched questions in the auto industry.
Last month, Tesla shares climbed after CEO Elon Musk said in a post on X that the company’s Austin Robotaxis had begun operating without a safety monitor.