Tesla FSD Reportedly Steers Around Large Pothole in Road Test

A new report from BASENOR highlights a moment in which Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software detected and maneuvered around a notably large pothole, described as "crater-sized," while operating on public roads. The outlet's coverage focuses on the software's ability to identify the road hazard and adjust the vehicle's path in real time to avoid it.

What Happened

According to BASENOR, the incident showcases FSD's obstacle-recognition and path-planning capabilities in action, with the system reportedly spotting the pothole and steering the vehicle clear of it without requiring driver intervention. The report frames the event as an example of how Tesla's driver-assistance software handles unpredictable, real-world road conditions that go beyond standard lane-keeping and traffic scenarios.

Context

FSD is Tesla's suite of advanced driver-assistance features, designed to handle a range of driving tasks including navigating turns, responding to traffic signals, and reacting to obstacles on the road. Potholes and other sudden road-surface hazards represent a recurring challenge for automated driving systems, since they must be detected and classified quickly enough for the software to plan a safe avoidance maneuver. BASENOR's report frames this specific case as a practical, real-world demonstration of that capability.

The report does not provide additional technical specifics, such as the exact location, vehicle model, or FSD software version involved. As with other real-world clips and reports of FSD performance, this incident is likely to be viewed by observers as anecdotal evidence rather than a formal benchmark, though it adds to the broader public record of how Tesla's software handles unexpected road conditions. Tesla continues to develop and refine FSD through ongoing software updates, with the stated goal of improving the system's ability to respond to a wide variety of real-world driving scenarios.

Source: BASENOR