The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into crashes reportedly linked to Tesla’s Actually Smart Summon feature. The probe, initiated on January 6, 2025, follows complaints and media reports suggesting the feature may fail to detect obstacles during operation.
The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) cited one specific complaint involving a crash allegedly caused by Actually Smart Summon, along with at least three media reports of similar incidents. The feature is designed to allow Tesla vehicles to navigate parking lots autonomously but reportedly struggled to detect posts or parked cars in the cases under review.
“ODI has received 12 Smart Summon-related complaints alleging crash scenarios where users had insufficient reaction time during Actually Smart Summon sessions,” the NHTSA stated in its report. “These include instances where the line of sight or delayed response via the app’s control button left operators unable to prevent a collision.”
The investigation highlights ongoing concerns about semi-autonomous driving technologies and their real-world safety performance. Tesla has yet to issue a comment regarding the probe.