Tesla Faces $14.5 Billion in Lawsuits as Full Self‑Driving Video Shows Cars Ignoring Rail

Tesla’s litigation exposure now tops $14.5 billion, according to a tally compiled by Electrek. The analysis lists 21 active legal tracks across seven categories, with high‑end estimates ranging from $2.7 billion to $14.5 billion. Autopilot and Full Self‑Driving (FSD) crash suits alone account for $1 billion to $5 billion, while a securities‑fraud class action over the promised robotaxi service could add another $1 billion to $5 billion, the report says.

The most recent flashpoint is a viral dash‑cam video posted by a Threads user, Laushi Liu, showing a Model 3 on FSD barreling through a lowered railroad crossing gate in West Covina, California. The barriers were at the height of the car’s front‑facing cameras, yet the system failed to detect them and did not brake until the driver intervened at the last moment. Electrek notes the clip surfaced on March 8, the same day NHTSA’s deadline for Tesla to hand over data on FSD traffic violations—including railroad‑crossing failures—expires.

Electrek’s lawsuit breakdown also flags a $100 million‑$500 million class action alleging false advertising of FSD, a $20 million‑$100 million suit over Elon Musk’s autonomy predictions, and a $50 million‑$150 million phantom‑braking case. Additional claims include $10 million‑$50 million EE‑OC racial‑harassment enforcement, $200 million‑$1.2 billion Fremont‑area race‑discrimination suits, and $5 million‑$30 million sexual‑harassment actions.

The company’s “hardcore litigation department” and “corporate puffery” defense, as described by Electrek, have not stemmed the tide. The outlet warns that the most dangerous lawsuits are still to come, and the cumulative exposure could pressure Tesla’s balance sheet and its ability to continue selling FSD.

Regulators are watching closely. NHTSA’s pending request for data on FSD’s railroad‑crossing performance underscores federal scrutiny, while the growing public outcry over the viral video amplifies consumer‑safety concerns. If the high‑end $14.5 billion estimate materializes, Tesla could face one of the largest legal burdens in the automotive sector, rivaling the stakes of its biggest competitors.