Tesla’s recently launched Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, is off to a rocky start. In less than a week of operation, users have documented a growing number of questionable behaviors by the autonomous vehicles—prompting Reddit users to compile a running list of incidents.
As reported by The Verge, the list currently includes 11 videos showing Tesla Robotaxis making basic errors. These include driving in the wrong lane, mounting curbs, and inexplicably stopping in the middle of the road.
The service, which is still in an early test phase, operates with just 10 to 20 Tesla Model Y vehicles within a limited area of South Austin. Despite the small scale and short timeline, the volume of incidents has raised eyebrows.
Most of the footage comes from passengers riding in the Robotaxis, many of whom are part of Tesla’s "Early Access" group—a mix of enthusiasts and influencers. While some rides have been described as smooth and uneventful, other videos have shown behavior that calls Tesla’s self-driving approach into question.
In one clip, a Robotaxi brakes suddenly, which some speculate could have been caused by glare from sunlight. However, this scenario raises broader concerns about Tesla’s reliance on a vision-only system, especially in contrast to other companies using a combination of cameras, radar, and LiDAR.
Other mistakes, like a Robotaxi driving over a curb, appear to be clear system faults.
So far, no accidents have been reported, but the errors do highlight the limitations of Tesla’s autonomous driving technology—especially given CEO Elon Musk’s ambitions. Musk has repeatedly promised major advances in Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) suite, though deadlines have consistently slipped.
Despite these issues, Musk plans to dramatically scale up the Robotaxi fleet over the coming year, claiming that “millions” of autonomous Tesla vehicles will be operational by 2026. The vision includes owners sending their cars out to earn income as self-driving taxis.
How Tesla plans to overcome current technical challenges in such a short timeframe remains unclear.