NHTSA Opens Investigation Into Tesla Smart Summon Feature
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into Tesla's Smart Summon autonomous driving feature after receiving complaints and media reports of accidents in which the feature failed to detect obstacles. The investigation covers approximately 2.58 million Tesla vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving software.
What happened
The NHTSA opened a preliminary evaluation of Tesla's Smart Summon feature following a complaint of an accident and examination of at least three media reports of similar incidents. The NHTSA stated that accidents occurred when the feature failed to detect poles or parked vehicles.
The investigation covers approximately 2.58 million Tesla vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving software and manufactured between 2016 and 2025, including Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y. Tesla reported no incidents related to the feature to the NHTSA.
Reported impact
The NHTSA received one complaint alleging a customer attempted to use Smart Summon and the vehicle crashed, plus 12 additional complaints on the same grounds.
Index analysis
Smart Summon, launched in September 2024, allows vehicle owners to remotely command their vehicles to their location or a designated area via the Tesla application. The feature relies on Tesla Vision camera technology rather than ultrasonic sensors and radar.
Governance controls
Tesla warned that Smart Summon should only be used in parking lots or driveways and instructed users to monitor their vehicles and their surroundings, stating that the user remains responsible for the vehicle. The NHTSA indicated it would evaluate the maximum speed a vehicle can reach with Smart Summon, direct visibility requirements, and any restrictions intended for public road use.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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