The NHTSA Investigating 2.6 Million Tesla Vehicles Over Smart Summon Feature
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Tuesday that they are launching an investigation into 2.6 million Tesla electric vehicles in the U.S. due to reports of crashes involving the automaker’s Actually Smart Summon remote-driving feature.
Actually Smart Summon, the latest version of Tesla’s remote valet feature, allows drivers to move their cars short distances in and out of parking spaces using the Tesla smartphone app. The NHTSA is looking into the feature following reports of four crashes, which could potentially lead to a recall.
2024 Tesla Model 3 Performance
The investigation will focus on the maximum speed of Actually Smart Summon, its use on public roads, line-of-sight requirements, and potential connectivity delays when using a smartphone for remote control. The probe includes Tesla Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y vehicles from 2016 to 2025.
Reports indicate that the vehicles failed to detect obstacles such as posts and parked cars while being remotely operated, resulting in crashes with insufficient time for drivers to react.
2024 Tesla Model Y – Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.
This investigation follows a previous probe by the NHTSA into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles with the Full-Self Driving system after four crashes, including a fatal incident involving a pedestrian and a Model Y. Tesla has also faced challenges with the Cybertruck launch and a decline in sales in 2024.
Despite these issues, Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s relationship with president-elect Donald Trump raises questions about the future of these investigations under the new administration.